Day 2 – Tue 23 Sep 2025

8:00

Registration in Samaritan Place.

Tea and Coffee available

All attendees to sign in for 2nd day and wear lanyard at all times.

Samaritan Place

8:40

Welcome and Housekeeping

Theatre

8:45

Keynote – Dr Tim Kitchen

Creating joyful learning experiences with AI

The launch of free and publicly available Gen AI has dramatically changed the way we do everything. While 85 million jobs will be displaced by AI by the end of 2025, 97 million new emerging jobs will be created. How can schools prepare young people for such a changing world? This keynote by Dr Tim Kitchen will also look at the findings from a recent study with 3000 educators focused on creativity with AI in Education.

Bio: An educator for over 30 years, Dr Tim Kitchen has been Adobe’s Senior Education Specialist for Asia Pacific since 2013. A passionate advocate for creativity in education, Tim is a best-selling author and a regular presenter for national and international education events.

You will have an opportunity to purchase Tim’s book and have it autographed if you wish.

Theatre

9:45

Keynote – M J Raatz

Belonging in a weird world

In a world that feels increasingly unpredictable, belonging matters more than ever. Using the PERMAH framework: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health, we see how esports becomes more than a game: it becomes a vessel for happiness. Student voices show that participation drives attendance, strengthens wellbeing, and sparks deep engagement. Through esports, learners build friendships, discover meaning, and celebrate achievement in ways that extend far beyond the screen. “Belonging in a Weird World” is about creating spaces where students feel valued, connected, and inspired—reminding us that the real story is not about esports, but about life made better. Digital technologies is a key component to success.

Bio: MJ Raatz is an innovative educator and Head of Digital Technologies, passionate about esports, 3D printing, and digital creativity. He is an author, lifelong learner, and community builder, committed to #MakingKidsLivesBetter by designing engaging curriculum, fostering inclusion, and preparing students for future opportunities through technology, innovation, and hands-on learning.

Theatre

10:45 – 11:10

Morning Tea & Trade Show

Make sure you visit and chat with exhibitors to discover their products and resources.

Record who you talk to and get your passport signed off for the prize draw at the end of Tuesday.

Samaritan Place and K-01/K02

11:15

Godot for Beginners – Teach Game Development in Years 7-10

Presenter: Pablo Farias (Zenva Pty Ltd)

Learn the basics of game creation with Godot, a free, lightweight game engine with a Python-like syntax, perfect for classrooms—no account creation needed.
You’ll cover:
* Getting started with Godot
* Building the core components of a simple game
* Integrating Godot into educational contexts
Empower your students with creativity and technical skills using Godot.

Participants requirements: Having Godot installed is optional but recommended

Bio: Pablo is the Founder and CEO of Zenva Schools – a leading education platform helping schools upskill in coding, game creation, and AI literacy.  He holds a Master in IT Management from the University of Queensland and has over a decade of experience building products used by more than a million learners worldwide.

Room: K-12 (First Floor)

11:15

Adobe Express – Safe and Ethical Gen AI for any class and level

Presenter: Dr Tim Kitchen (Senior Education Specialist, Adobe Asia Pacific)

Adobe offers students and teachers a free and ethically safe tool for Gen AI image creation through Adobe Express because it’s modelled on a K-12 filtered version of Adobe Stock. In this hands-on session, Dr Tim Kitchen will demonstrate how simple it is to work with Adobe Express to create infographics, posters, flyers, videos, animations and webpages with the help of the uniquely ethically safe Gen AI and K- 12 friendly version of Adobe Firefly that is available thorough Adobe Express. Being browser and mobile app based, Adobe Express is accessible to all and it is very simple to use. Adobe Express is one of the only Gen AI solutions that is registered with the Safer Technologies for School program (ST4S) managed by Education Services Australia. Participating in this workshop will also provide teachers with the Adobe Creative Educator (ACE) Level 1 micro-credential.

Participants requirements: Please bring your own laptop connected to wi-fi and writing materials.

Bio: An educator for over 30 years, Dr Tim Kitchen has been Adobe’s Senior Education Specialist for Asia Pacific since 2013. A passionate advocate for creativity in education, Tim is a best selling-author and a regular presenter for national and international education events.

Room: I-02 (Ground Floor)

11:15

Developing a Generative AI Policy for a K-12 School

Presenter: Jay Burmeister

As generative AI tools become increasingly embedded in education, schools must develop thoughtful, values-driven policies to guide their use by both staff and students. This session describes both the development process and the final Generative AI Policy for a K-12 school, designed to support safe, ethical, and effective AI integration across K–12 teaching and learning.
We will explore the policy’s human-centred approach, which balances innovation with responsibility. The session will unpack key components, including safe use, privacy, academic integrity, and differentiated learning. Teachers will be introduced to practical frameworks for integrating AI into learning, assessment, planning, teaching, marking, and reporting — each mapped across clearly defined levels of AI involvement.

Participants requirements: None but personal laptops advantageous 

Bio: Jay teaches Applied Computing, Physics, and Maths at Gippsland Grammar in Victoria, where he is currently the Head of Digital Learning. Before becoming a high school teacher, he lectured IT at Griffith University and at the University of Queensland where he completed a PhD in Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence. Jay has previously served as the Chair and the Vice-Chair of QSITE chapter in Townsville where he delivered professional development to local teachers.

Room: I-11 (First Floor)

12:15

Lego Learning Lab

Presenters: Tamara Templeton and Laura Walker

Get ready to build, create, and innovate! Join us for an exciting and interactive professional development workshop where you’ll discover the power of LEGO® Education Robotics. This hands-on session is designed for primary and lower secondary teachers – no prior knowledge of robotics or coding is necessary. You’ll tackle engaging, open-ended challenges using LEGO and simple programming to bring your designs to life. Discover how to integrate these tools into your curriculum to teach core skills in critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

Participant requirements: n/a

Bio: Tamara is an innovative educator currently serving as a Digital Technologies teacher, Early Career Teacher mentor, and Digital Learning Mentor at St Anthony’s Catholic College in Deeragun, Townsville. As a recognised Lead Teacher, Tamara demonstrates exemplary pedagogical practices and provides instructional leadership within her educational community and the wider region. As a Google Certified Trainer and Canva Canvassador, she’s passionate about leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning, empowering educators in their digital literacy journey. Tamara actively advocates for the integration of technology in education by providing impactful professional development to teachers in North Queensland and around Australia. 

Bio: Laura Walker is an enthusiastic and innovative educator currently working as a Digital Technologies teacher at St Clare’s School in Townsville. Driven by a passion for sharing her expertise with others, she regularly organizes and runs events designed to boost student engagement in digital technologies, including eSports and robotics competitions in the local area. Laura is dedicated to fostering a love for technology in her students and her hands-on approach makes her a valuable asset to her school and the wider community.

Room: K-12 (First Floor)

12:15

Design, Code, Connect: P-10

Presenters – Bianca Willis and Kylie Mathers

To demonstrate how Design Thinking, real-world experiences and curriculum-aligned progression can work together to support deep learning in Digital Technologies from Prep to Year 10, tailored to v9 of the Australian Curriculum.

Bio: Bianca Willis is an experienced educator with a Master of Education (Digital Technologies) and a passion for curriculum development, resource creation, and professional learning. With over seven years of classroom teaching experience, she is dedicated to fostering student growth, promoting mental well-being, and equipping the next generation with digital literacy and critical thinking skills. She has co-developed curriculum assessment plans, designed professional learning workshops, and delivered webinars on Digital Literacy, Systems Thinking, and assessment design. Her resource development includes Privacy & Security materials, STEM-focused courses on Design thinking, UI/UX and Data Analytics.

Bio: Kylie is a proud mum of two children and two fur-babies, living on the Gold Coast.  With a passion for adventure and meeting people, she has backpacked around the world from Laos to Zanzibar. Kylie loves the opportunities to explore off the beaten track and meet locals, meaning she is often left holding a chicken on the bus as she chats with an Aunty.
As a secondary teacher with over 35 years’ experience, she has worked as team leader within technologies across both Digital and Design learning areas. Kylie has worked with Queenland College of Teachers, QCEC, QCAA, and has volunteered with Pycon as well as Girls Programming Network

Room: I-02 (Ground Floor)

12:15

Code That Captivates: Teaching Python Through Story and Suspense

Presenter: Karsten Schulz (Digital Technologies Institute)

Step into a world of mystery and digital awakening as we introduce the Python Intro Course—a story-driven, hands-on coding adventure for students in Years 7–10. In this immersive workshop, educators will experience the same thrilling journey as their students: a rogue AI, cryptic messages, and coding puzzles that must be solved to save the world.
Designed for beginners, the course introduces Python fundamentals through engaging narrative experiments. Students interact with an evolving AI system, gradually learning how to manipulate outputs, debug input sequences, make decisions, build loops and explore binary numbers—all through problem-solving in a secret digital lab environment. No prior coding knowledge is required.
Participants in this session will get hands-on experience with the activities, see how the storyline scaffolds core coding concepts, and walk away with ready-to-use resources. The course is freely available to all Australian schools and supports both Digital Technologies (7–10) and the AI Curriculum Connection.
Whether you’re new to coding or looking to inject some excitement into your classroom, this session will equip you with the tools and inspiration to get started.

Participant requirements: Laptop, Teacher Account in MyComputerBrain

Bio: Karsten Schulz is an engineer, scientist, and educator. He holds a PhD in Computer Science and a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Software Engineering. In 2010, Karsten created the Young ICT Explorers Competition and, in 2014, he founded the Bebras Australia Computational Thinking Challenge, which is part of the International Bebras Challenge.
Karsten has been working in the Australian ICT and Digital Technologies space since 1999 in an international R&D leadership position. He has designed various DT courses, a computer processor, and builds artificial neural networks.

Room: I-11 (First Floor)

1:15 – 1:55

Lunch & Trade Show

Samaritan Place and K-01/K-02

2:00

Real-World Drone Coding with CoDrone (Years 5-8)

Presenter: Jeffrey Keck (Education Business Development Manager, Modern Teaching Aids)

Step into the future of technology by learning how drones are used in everyday life! In this hands-on workshop, participants will design, code, and fly drones through missions that mirror real-world applications such as aerial photography, search and rescue, delivery services, and environmental monitoring. Working in teams, participants will develop their coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of digital systems while exploring the ethical and social impacts of drone technology. Linked directly to the ACARA Digital Technologies outcomes, this workshop blends creativity, innovation, and collaboration with the excitementof flight.

Participant requirements: Smartphone/laptop to participate in Slido polls

Bio: Jeffrey is an experienced teacher with a passion for engaging students in science. He has worked at Modern Teaching Aids for the past year and loves to share his experience and knowledge with teachers and schools. Jeffrey is connected with multiple teaching and lab tech networks and is always striving to find ways to help schools improve student engagement and learning outcomes. He is passionate about students having authentic and real-life learning opportunities in science and has run his workshops at local state and national conference and professional learning days.

Room: K-12 (First Floor)

2:00

Digital Solutions: The impact of syllabus revisions on assessment design and responses

Presenter: Nathaniel Brown (Corinda State High School)

Note: Nathaniel will present virtually and the session will be facilitated in person by Peta Hinchliff and Harley Foley (Southern Cross Catholic College).

Nathaniel has been looking at the impact of syllabus revisions on IA1 and IA2. The largest difference is the new word limit and page limit. How is it possible for students to create responses that comply with the limits and still meet the criteria? Nathaniel has a number of EAL and ASD students who need scaffolding and examples, so he created sample tasks, which he has also shared online. Have a look at one possible way to complete IA1 and IA2 and comply with the word limits and length limits.

Participant requirements: Laptop or phone for interactive components, e.g. feedback or response.

Bio: Nathaniel Brown has recently returned from working overseas for over a decade in Asia teaching IB Computer Science and IGCSE Computer Science, as well as being a STEM leader and facilitating multiple robotics competitions. He has been working hard to apply this experience to the Australian Digital Solutions curriculum with fresh eyes taking the best parts of the British and IB curriculums and applying them in Australia. He is always asking why and looking for better ways to do things.

Room: I-02 (Ground Floor)

2:00

Search. Map. Teach. Exploring the Curriculum Search Engine

Presenter: Dr Karsten Schulz (Digital Technologies Institute)

Planning curriculum-aligned lessons can be time-consuming and complex—unless you have the right tools. In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore the Curriculum Search Engine (CSE), an innovative online tool designed to streamline lesson planning for Australian educators. With just a few keywords, teachers can instantly see how topics map to the Australian Curriculum V9, including learning areas, general capabilities, and cross-curriculum priorities.
Participants will learn how to conduct a curriculum search, refine results by year level or subject, and visualise curriculum coverage through interactive graphs. The session also introduces the built-in AI Advisor, which helps translate search results into rich, context-aware lesson ideas and downloadable plans. Whether you’re preparing a new unit or responding to student interests, the CSE saves valuable time while enhancing curriculum alignment.
Bring your laptop and your curiosity—this session will give you practical skills and inspiration to take straight back to your classroom or planning meetings.

Participant requirements: Laptop with browser

Bio: Karsten Schulz is an engineer, scientist, and educator. He holds a PhD in Computer Science and a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Software Engineering. In 2010, Karsten created the Young ICT Explorers Competition and, in 2014, he founded the Bebras Australia Computational Thinking Challenge, which is part of the International Bebras Challenge.
Karsten has been working in the Australian ICT and Digital Technologies space since 1999 in an international R&D leadership position. He has designed various DT courses, a computer processor, and builds artificial neural networks.

Room: I-11 (First Floor)

3:00

Conference Close

Prize Draws from Exhibitor Passports

Note: You must be present at the drawing to accept the prize

Theatre