2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to URSA 2026 at Southern Utah University! All sessions will be in buildings on the upper campus (east end). Here’s the Campus Map (PDF) if needed.

WiFi: eduroam or SUU-Conference, password "summertimefun"

PLAN AHEAD - Tentative Future Conference Dates
July 7-9, 2027 - Price, UT
July 17-19, 2028 - Richfield, UT

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1:30pm MDT

Building Science Thinkers Through Literacy and Data Analysis Strategies

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level)

This session will focus on how integrating literacy strategies into science instruction improves student understanding of data, graphs, and scientific concepts. Participants will explore practical strategies aligned to Utah SEEd standards, including Claim-Evidence-Reasoning, structured data analysis, and student discourse techniques.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None

Speakers

Jennifer Mackay

Science teacher and department head, Riverview Junior High

My name is Jennifer Mackay. I have taught 7-9 grade science over the last 20 years. I teach at Riverview Junior High in Murray School District. Over that last three years I have participated in the secondary Stem Action Center Cohort. In this time, I have been able to work on my teacher... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Science

2:50pm MDT

“This Class is Therapy” Gamification, Learning, and Mental Health

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129

In the Snow College Integrating Technology into Education courses students study the concept of Gamification, the bringing of gaming principles into Education. As part of this lesson students have to prepare a lesson with a game and then teach it to the rest of the class. A common feedback from these students was to express just how much they needed the experience of playing a game to make them feel better in the middle of a busy semester. It is often discussed how Gamification can help students learn but it is also important to realize how the relief from playing a game can also have a positive impact.

In this presentation, we will talk about Gamification and how it can help students. We will then divide into groups and go through the process of teaching each other to play a board game, actually play it, then study a lesson plan that has been prepared for it. We will then reflect on how we might be able to use a game like that in our classes and how taking a moment to play a game made us feel. Through this experience, we hope to be able to use Gamification in a more purposeful manner.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable

Speakers

David J. Rodríguez Sanfiorenzo

Associate Professor of Education, Snow College

Dr. David Rodríguez Sanfiorenzo has been an educator at different levels for 20 years. Currently, he serves as an Associate Professor of Education at Snow College where he enjoys the calm and beauty of rural Utah. He teaches Introduction to Education, Integrating Technology into... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129 370 West 200 South, Cedar City, UT 84720

Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental/Behavioral Health Professionals
Subject Area Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Mental/Behavioral Health

2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

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