By Bonnie Nieves, Social Media Ambassador – #MassCUE18

Last year was the first time I attended the MassCUE annual conference at Gillette Stadium. When I left there I knew I had to come back; there is so much to see and experience there two days is not enough. This year, I conducted a session and attended both days as a social media ambassador.

A Well Run Machine

The first thing you notice when you arrive at the conference is the organization and how easy it is to check in get your ID badge and proceed to the exhibition floor. There are dozens of vendors of every type and a special section where students showcase their projects and technology. New sections were added for 2018 that focused on STEM and AR/VR activities and sketchnoting. These are hands-on interactive stations where teachers can experiment with new technologies and learn how they can use them to engage students in their own classrooms. It is awesome how MassCUE amplifies student voice by giving them a platform to present their work at the QUE kids section and in sessions with their teachers. This year one of the CUEbytes featured speakers was a student, too!

For Teachers, By Teachers

The main reason, of course, to attend MassCUE is for the teacher-developed sessions and there are hundreds of them. Teachers from across the state that have developed or vetted technology lessons and other resources are eager to share their learning. There is certainly more than enough to choose from; the only problem is narrowing down the selections because there are only three sessions per day and so many must-see sessions.

Our Common Purpose

Again, this year the greatest part of the conference has been the total experience. Thousands of educators gathered in Gillette Stadium for one purpose to learn together and share our common goal of making education more engaging and authentic for every single student. The energy is palpable throughout the stadium from the keynote speakers on each day to the awards given to outstanding educators for their service. Even passing in the hallways, meeting new people is unforgettable. I am already looking forward to MassCUE19!

Bonnie is a high school science teacher with a MEd in Curriculum and Instruction. She is currently an STE Ambassador in Massachusetts and a member of the TIES Teacher Corps. Bonnie encourages you to connect on Twitter @biologygoddess and Voxer @bonnienieves