UPCOMING EVENTS

IDEA Northern Suburbs Chapter | Everyone Learns Spring Conference: Learner as a CoDesigner

4/7/2025 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM in Lake Forest, IL

What role should learners play in designing the learning experience? Can teachers let every student in their classroom lead their own learning and reach their growth potential? Join IDEA Northern Suburbs Chapter and Lake Forest Country Day School as we explore these questions and the intersection between Universal Design for Learning and Student Led Learning.

Illinois educators can earn 3 PDHs for attending this event in-person.

Wednesday Webinar | Digital Detectives: Growing Healthy Habits in K-2 Classrooms

4/9/2025 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM via Zoom

Pop-Up Workshop | Cracking the Code: From Icons to Word Blocks

4/15/2025 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in Arlington Heights, IL

In this beginner-friendly workshop with IDEA partner, LEGO® Education, we’ll explore how to introduce computational thinking and problem-solving through hands-on activities that make coding accessible to all learners. Discover how to guide students from icon-based to word block-based coding, helping them build confidence and foundational skills along the way.

Illinois educators attending this IN-PERSON workshop can earn 3 PDHs. 

Pop-Up Workshop | Full Stack STEM: Advanced Coding for Real-World Problem Solving

4/15/2025 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM in Arlington Heights, IL

Take your students’ coding skills to the next level with advanced programming and engineering challenges at this workshop with IDEA partner, LEGO® Education! Discover how to guide students from block-based coding to text-based coding with Python, while applying computational thinking and problem-solving skills to complex STEM projects.

Illinois educators attending this IN-PERSON workshop can earn 3 PDHs. 

Wednesday Webinar | Help Students Make Healthy Choices with Vaping: Know the Truth

4/16/2025 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM via Zoom

Join us for this Wednesday Webinar designed for Illinois middle & high school educators to learn about EVERFI's Vaping: Know the Truth, a free, digital prevention and cessation course. This session will provide an overview of the course, guide you through getting classes started, and share best practices for implementation. Gain the tools and resources to help your students make informed choices and live vape-free!

Illinois educators can earn 1 PDH for attending this webinar live.

Students for Innovation: Advocacy Day

5/13/2025 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM in Springfield

Illinois educators and students are doing amazing, innovative things in the classroom every single day. At IDEA, our hope is to give these students and educators a platform to exemplify the importance of this innovative learning. Students are selected through an application process to present in-person their innovative progress during a one-day event at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. We encourage all schools throughout Illinois to apply (Space is limited).

All interested participants must use this form to submit their project for consideration. Submissions are due by the end of the day April 1, 2025.

Wednesday Webinar | Cardboard Collaboration: Reclaiming Hands-On Experiential Learning

5/28/2025 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM via Zoom

It’s time to reclaim hands-on learning! During this interactive Wednesday Webinar with IDEA partner, Makedo we'll learn how to utilize the low-cost, accessible Makedo tools to boost thinking via physical making all while connecting to the standards. 

Illinois educators can earn 1 PDH for attending this webinar live.

IDEAcon 2026

2/9/2026 - 2/11/2026

Join IDEA for three days where educators can be immersed in a community of leaders and learners. Attendees enjoy a welcoming environment as they create their own journey full of breakout sessions, exhibit hall demos, hands-on activities, thought leader talks, networking opportunities and more. Go at your own pace, take the time to discover, and relish the opportunity to learn, share, and play. IDEAcon is where you'll find your next learning adventure.