Keynote Speakers

Black Eyed Susan Room

The presentation focuses on strategies for depolarizing students and fostering civil discourse within a single class period. Emphasis is placed on addressing the "Perception Gap," which reveals that Americans share more similarities across the political spectrum than commonly believed. Research indicates that correcting these misperceptions is a powerful tool for reducing polarization. By closing the Perception Gap, individuals are less likely to view those with differing political views as threats, thereby diminishing the drive for uncompromising victory in political contests. This aligns closely with efforts to promote civil discourse in classrooms, potentially alleviating anxiety and encouraging students to explore nuanced perspectives. The session will showcase a single-period lesson plan designed by More Like US to address the Perception Gap, along with feedback from initial classroom implementations. Additionally, a beta version of the Similarity Hub, a resource compiling survey data on political similarities, will be presented. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback to inform future initiatives, including interest in implementing the lesson plan, the need for professional development, willingness to participate in survey research, and suggestions for additional resources. Collaboration with ELA and STEAM teachers on upcoming projects will also be explored. Presenter: James Coan, Executive Director, More Like US (Washington, D.C.)

Blue Crab Room

We will be presenting why developing a philanthropic mindset/ body parts within kids and students raises them to be better givers of society, how the Giving Square provides the foundation for kids to become philanthropists, how different research demonstrates that service and civics are decreasing within communities and how this has detrimental impacts for our future. We will have various discussions of how service can be impactful when done with purpose and initiative, what pushes a student to participate in service, and as a community how we uplift children and give them the platform to succeed in a very adult-driven world. We will also have our participants take a personality test to see what type of philanthropist they are. Presenters: Aleena Malik, Student & The Giving Square Representative (Anne Arundel County)

Blue Crab Room

We will be demonstrating how to transform an idea into a passion project and furthermore into a non-profit. We will demonstrate the key aspects of building your passion project and the necessary leadership skills it takes to make it successful. We will illustrate the importance of financial stability (grants and donations). The importance of networking and connections you must build to take your passion-project. Non-profit to the next level. We will have a discussion of the common leadership skills everyone thinks about but are not needed to grow your passion project. We will further illustrate the importance of having a foundation to any idea by having participants create their own formula that will grow their passion project. Also how to connect your passion to a problem within your community. Presenters: Meerub Malik, Student (Anne Arundel County) and Joshua Oh, Student, Founder, Kid Changemakers (Anne Arundel County)

Oriole Room

In this interactive workshop teachers will learn how to create 2024 Voter Guides with their students, a process that develops civic knowledge and meaningful bonds with members of the school community. Pablo will share the work of Joel Snyder, an award-winning public school civics educator in Los Angeles. Through Joel’s work, Pablo will show you how to turn your classroom into a civic hub where students can gain knowledge, discuss issues, and engage meaningfully about politics with the people they are closest to. Presenter: Pablo Wolfe, Community Catalyst and Education Consultant (Montgomery County)

Terrapin Room

Civil student discourse around contested issues and hard historical topics can provide learners with insight, improve their decision-making, and connect them with one another and the larger world. Productive dialogue helps students process information rather than simply receive it. Students learn to think before speaking and consider all points of view. Giving students opportunities to practice these skills is essential for the development of our next generation of leaders and citizens. The purpose of this session is to equip teachers with strategies that give students the structures needed to participate in civil discourse. Presenters: Scott McComb, Supervisor of Social Studies, CCPS, Nicole Penix, Social Studies Learning Specialist, CCPS, and Sharon Hoetzlein-Sirman, High School Government Teacher, CCPS (Calvert County)

White Oak Room

Our workshop shares the story of Compostology, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that began with two Maryland high schoolers in 2020 and reached representation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai this past December. Compostology spearheads food waste action, policy, and education - and its youth leaders will guide students and any passionate community members in leveraging the unique voices of secondary students for change, from local to global levels. Recognized by the U.S. EPA and awarded $48,000 by the World Wildlife Fund, we implement composting and food recovery programs in schools that double as original models for peer-to-peer environmental/civic education - encouraging attendees to act locally, think globally. Presenters: Angelina Xu, Student, Co-Founder & Co-President and Kareena Gupta, Student, Composting Director, Compostology (Montgomery County)