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
Join us as we explore insights from Utah educators on facilitating Career and Technical Education (CTE) participation for students with disabilities. Dive into the results of a comprehensive research study analyzing interviews and data from educators and administrators in Utah schools. As part of an ongoing research-practice partnership with the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) conducted a study of facilitators and barriers to the representation of students with disabilities in CTE. The study sought to understand how facilitators and barriers differed among Local Education Agencies (LEAs). The findings and recommendations complement the USBE’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan for Utah’s Secondary Career and Technical Education, which outlines the goals of Awareness and Outreach, Industry Alignment, Postsecondary Alignment, and Durable Skills. In addition, this research supports an understanding of how LEAs are ensuring students with disabilities are aware of and have access to educational opportunities, including those that prepare them for employment or career preparation (USBE Special Education Rules, 2023).
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: Any of these
💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!
This 2-hour session will focus on basic 3D modeling and how to incorporate 3D printing in the classroom. Attendees will walk away with curated lists of 3D prints that align to standards, plug-and-play Canvas modules developed by University of Utah students, and a brand new 3D printer!
Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook
Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Becca Robison is a dedicated educator and leader passionate about cultivating the next generation of innovators through high-quality, maker-focused STEM education. Becca currently serves as the Innovation Hub Manager a the Utah STEM Action Center developing best practices for maker... Read More →
There are a myriad of resources identifying best practice in secondary transition for students with disabilities. It can be challenging for practitioners, students, and families to visualize and implement these resources in a meaningful way. Additional resources are needed to help stakeholders identify meaningful opportunities, experiences, services, and supports to implement the postsecondary transition planning process with compliance and high quality. Utah's Portrait of a Graduate defines 13 competency areas essential for success in adult life. Utah’s Statewide Collaborative on Improving Postsecondary Transition Outcomes for Students with Disabilities (STC) recognized that students with disabilities often need additional support and services to achieve these same competencies as their peers without disabilities. Over the past year and a half, the STC has gathered insights on best practices, identified necessary skills for postsecondary success, and learned from the experiences of youth with disabilities. The result? The Portrait of Secondary Transition (POST) as a companion to the Portrait of a Graduate. This has been a long-term, multi-agency, collaborative process designed to affect whole-system change in how we serve young people with disabilities as we help them prepare for life as adults.This session will share our journey, lessons learned and inspire you to build on this work in your own setting. Don't miss this opportunity to explore our multi-tiered model and discover practical strategies to support young people with disabilities as they prepare for life as adults. Let's make a difference together!
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
This session will share tips, structures and examples of classrooms that use the Modern Classroom Project platform. DawnRae Smith is a Distinguished MCP Teacher as well as School AI Certified Educator. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge using MCP in her History, FACS, Gaming Concepts and CCA classes. She has so many tips and examples to share. Machelle Maxwell will share her experience using MCP with her ELA classes and mentoring opportunities. We will share real life experiences, a tool kits for those wanting to overview it, some data from the how it works and of course specific ways to get started.
Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: a device since we will have logging into some of our Canva for screen pal options
Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable
Secondary Career & Tech Educator, Iron County School District
DawnRae Smith is a Family and Consumer Sciences and Gaming Concepts teacher who brings 10 years of history teaching and special education experience to the classroom. For the past two years, she's implemented the Modern Classrooms Model, focusing on practical, realistic approaches... Read More →
Machelle is still loving teaching after 40 + years. She has taught from1st grade- college level, was a HS Librarian, served as an instructional coach and state mentor. She still chooses to be in a classroom with students and loves collaborating with teacher friends like DawnRae. She... Read More →
Are you maximizing the potential of the Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP)? This session is designed for administrators and counselors looking to use the SOEP as a strategic lever. We will discuss how to use SOEP enrollment data to guide master scheduling and staffing decisions, allowing your LEA to offer high-demand courses.Key topics include an in-depth look at the funding model, Small Schools grant opportunities, and essential operational "need-to-knows." We will specifically address how LEAs can protect their budgets by mastering the acceptance and rejection windows in SEATS—including how to navigate over-enrollment and credit caps. Additionally, we will cover the critical management of "No Grade" and "Incomplete" grades as they relate to UHSAA eligibility and fiscal responsibility. By leveraging SOEP data, administrators can turn the program into a roadmap for increasing student seat time and expanding academic pathways, providing access to niche electives and advanced coursework that might otherwise be unavailable in smaller or rural settings
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
SOEP Program Manager, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
Meagan Johnston is the Program Manager for the Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP) and a dedicated advocate for student choice and equitable access to education. With 21 years of experience in the public education system, Meagan has taught in both the traditional and online... Read More →
