AAGT STEM-sational Summer Seminar Is Coming — Save the Date

If your brain perks up at the words STEM, innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning, you’re going to want this on your calendar.

The AAGT STEM-sational Summer Seminar is happening May 28, 2026, from 8:00 AM–4:00 PM at Rio Salado Community College in Tempe, and it’s shaping up to be an energizing day focused on bringing STEM learning to life for gifted students.

This isn’t just another sit-and-listen event. Expect ideas you can actually use, inspiration you didn’t know you needed, and probably at least one activity that reminds you why learning should be fun in the first place.

Keynote Spotlight

We’re excited to welcome DaNel Hogan of Braided STEM as our keynote speaker. Her sessions, “STEM on the Cheap” and “Game Hacks!”, will focus on creative, accessible ways to bring STEM into classrooms and programs without needing a massive budget or fancy equipment. Translation: smart ideas, practical strategies, zero fluff.

Breakout Sessions

We’re finalizing breakout sessions now, with more details coming soon. Expect practical takeaways, creative approaches, and opportunities to connect with others doing exciting STEM work.

Vendor “Science Fair”

Think of this as a discovery zone for educators and program leaders. Vendors will highlight:

• Student competitions

• Training opportunities

• Grant resources

• Innovative STEM tools and programs

If you’ve ever wondered what opportunities are out there for students beyond the classroom, this is your chance to explore.

Student Spotlights

We’re also showcasing students whose gifted STEM experiences helped shape their academic or career paths. These will be short, impactful stories — about three minutes each — shared either live or via video.

Know a student whose STEM journey deserves the spotlight? We’d love to hear about them.

Mini STEM Challenges

Because no STEM event is complete without a little friendly competition. Expect quick team challenges throughout the day — things like engineering builds, problem-solving activities, maybe even a Lego showdown or paper-chain engineering moment. Nothing too intense, just enough to spark creativity (and bragging rights).

Competition Showcases

We’re inviting student teams involved in STEM competitions to display their projects. This may include groups from programs like:

Future Cities
Odyssey of the Mind
MESA
Lego Robotics

If you know a team that should be featured, please reach out.

And Yes… Raffle Prizes

Lots of them. Because learning is great, but prizes make everything slightly more exciting.