2026 UTeach STEM Educators Conference
Power and Purpose: Defining the Future of STEM Education
May 19–21, 2026
Austin, Texas
The 2026 conference was full of connection and innovation with UTeach university faculty and staff from 54 UTeach programs, UTeach alumni teaching and leading in K–12 schools and districts, UTeach students, and higher education leaders.
The opening panel provided an engaging discussion of how current workforce, technology, and societal changes are shaping the future of education and the implications for preparing future STEM educators.
Panelists:
- Matthew Abbott, Superintendent of Wayside Schools
- Kelli Allen, Professor of Practice with UTeach Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin
- Mera Keltner Dougherty, Head of K–12 Partnerships at Playlab
- Joanie Funderburk, Director of Strategic Alliances, Texas Instruments
- Jeffrey Weld, Senior Policy Advisor, STEM Education Coalition
Sponsors
Texas Instruments
Texas instruments is the gold standard in education technology that’s trusted by teachers and loved by students. Our learning tools are designed to build confidence, understanding and engagement — without adding to online distractions. From exam-approved calculators to interactive STEM tech, everything we make is built to help math make sense and bring science to life. With free premade lessons, hands-on activities, professional development and more, your TI is always ready to support real learning. Explore more at education.ti.com.
Playlab
Playlab is where educators and students go to learn about and safely build their own AI-powered applications. Playlab partners with schools, districts, higher education institutions and organizations to help educators and students develop AI agency and apply AI to real challenges. Our services support partners at different stages of AI adoption—from building foundational understanding, to designing practical AI tools, to reimagining systems for the age of AI. To thrive in the age of AI, education communities must develop AI agency — the ability to understand and shape the systems influencing their work, not simply adapt to tools designed elsewhere.
Exhibitors
240 Tutoring
240 Tutoring partners with educator preparation programs to protect certification outcomes and keep candidates moving toward completion. We help programs improve TExES pass rates and prevent delays that disrupt candidate momentum.
Programs can choose the level of integration that fits their model. Some use 240 material as coursework and closely monitor progress across cohorts. Others provide it as a high-quality study resource that candidates can rely on independently. With actionable reporting, pass-rate visibility, and scalable solutions like Workshops in a Box, EPP leaders gain the insight and structure needed to intervene early, demonstrate impact, and strengthen program results.
Columbia Southern University
As an innovator in online education for over 30 years, CSU was established to provide an alternative to the traditional university experience. CSU offers online master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees in Education and Instructional Design and Technology. Contact Kim Smith at 800-977-8449 ext.1814 to learn more.
Knowles Teacher Initiative
The Knowles Teacher Initiative is a nonprofit organization that supports a national network of mathematics and science teachers who are collaborative, innovative leaders improving education for all students in the United States. We strive to create an educational system that is led by teachers who are equipped to solve difficult problems and respond to local challenges in order to serve all of our nation’s students. For more information, visit knowlesteachers.org.
SystemsGo
SystemsGo is a proven, innovative, project-based high school aerospace engineering curriculum that uses STEM, the Industry R&D Loop, Socratic questioning, ROCKETRY, and a culminating launch event to develop workforce skills like critical/creative thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, perseverance, and leadership. SystemsGo encourages students to pursue careers in the engineering industries.
Vosaic
Vosaic empowers educator preparation faculty, mentor teachers, and instructional leaders with video-based reflection, AI-powered and evidence-based feedback, and scalable supervision. Vosaic helps programs document teaching growth, support accreditation needs, and expand supervision capacity while strengthening instructional practice across higher ed and K–12 contexts.
UTeach Computer Science
UTeach Computer Science is a collaborative effort between expert faculty from The University of Texas at Austin, successful CS teachers, and UTeach's 25+ years of experience leading nationwide, evidence-based teacher preparation.
Our extensive experience in STEM teacher preparation at a top research university shows us that teachers achieve the best results with project-based, student-centered curricula combined with ongoing, on-demand support and empowering professional development.
UTeach STEM Educators Association
The UTeach STEM Educators Association (USEA) brings together UTeach faculty, staff, students, and alumni from across the nation to advance our mission of transforming STEM teaching and learning by preparing and developing innovative and inclusive STEM educators.
Conference
Poster information for students.
Are you an alum? Check out our resources and information especially for you.
Email us at conference@uteach.utexas.edu
