WCSS 25: Full Schedule

Welcome to WCSS 25 - MAKING SOCIAL STUDIES MATTER! We are excited to host a powerful two day conference in our state capital, sharing countless ideas and methods to continue making social studies relevant to our students. Get ready to learn, grow, and have some fun in the process!

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8:30am CDT

Historical Thinking Skills for the Social Media Age

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am CDT

SENATE A

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Students have access to more information than ever before, but separating fact from fiction has never been more difficult. Historical thinking skills can empower students to analyze the (mis)information they encounter online. We’ll use a variety of PBS resources and media to sharpen students’ media literacy skills, including research, fact-checking, identifying bias, and finding reliable sources.

Speakers

Nick Ostrem

Education Engagement Specialist, PBS Wisconsin

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am CDT
SENATE A

General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

Host Organization PBS Wisconsin
Company Student Civic Engagement, Learning Through Inquiry
Audience 2 Hour Hands-On Workshop

9:45am CDT

Jury Education and Teaching the Judicial System

Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT

SENATE B

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Engage in a train-the-trainer session to deepen learning about how juries work and why they are so integral to our overall judicial system. This session will entail an overview of what juries are, why they exist, and how everyday Americans can participate in the judicial process through jury duty.
This session will be led by The Juror Project: an initiative aiming to increase the diversity of jury panels while changing and challenging people’s perspective of jury duty.

Speakers

Will Snowden

Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
SENATE B

Civics/Government, All Social Studies Educators

Host Organization The Juror Project
Company Student Civic Engagement
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

9:45am CDT

MKE Roots: Democratizing Local History

Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT

CONF 2

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MKE Roots is a place-based, inquiry-centered approach to teaching the history and civic engagement of Milwaukee’s communities—especially its communities of color, indigenous nations, and other historically marginalized communities. MKE Roots aims to empower students see themselves within the civic landscape of our city. This session will highlight MKE Curriculum and its implementation.

Speakers

Robert S. Smith

Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
CONF 2

US History, High School 9-12

Host Organization Marquette University
Company Sharing Untold Stories, Student Civic Engagement
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

12:30pm CDT

Panel Discussion - Jury Education and Teaching the Judicial System

Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

SENATE A

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Speakers

Will Snowden

Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
SENATE A

Civics/Government, All Social Studies Educators

Host Organization The Juror Project
Company Student Civic Engagement
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

1:45pm CDT

ENGAGE: Teaching in Simulations

Friday March 14, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

UNIV AB

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Join Alisha and Justin (hosts of the ENGAGE social studies podcast) as they explore dynamic simulations designed to bring social studies to life! We’ll showcase practical examples that engage students in active learning, deepen understanding of complex topics, and promote critical thinking. Expect to see simulations in action and walk away with ideas you can implement immediately.

Speakers

Justin Glodowski

Former WCSS President, Marshfield HS

Host of the ENGAGE: Teaching the Social Studies Podcast!

Friday March 14, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
UNIV AB

General Pedagogy, Middle & High School

Host Organization Marshfield High School
Company Engaging Pedagogy, Student Civic Engagement
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

1:45pm CDT

Updates with DPI Social Studies!

Friday March 14, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

CONF 4

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Spend time with Kris McDaniel, Social Studies consultant for the WI DPI. We will discuss updates and plans, and as always, there is time for Q&A. Topics include: WI Civics Project, the Field Trip Template, the MS civics suggested S&S, place-based learning, the balanced representation project, and more!

Speakers

Kris McDaniel

Social Studies Consultant, WI Dept of Public Instruction

I am the DPI Social Studies Consultant. My main work is to provide quality PD and resources to teachers and to connect organizations and districts. My main focus and passion, though, is helping social studies teachers in whatever they may need to provide amazing, rockstar instruc... Read More →

Friday March 14, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
CONF 4

General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

Host Organization WI Dept of Public Instruction
Company Engaging Pedagogy, Student Civic Engagement
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

3:00pm CDT

Make Civics Come Alive

Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

SENATE B

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Attendees will learn how to access primary source documents and ready made lessons from the National Archives

Speakers

Jim De Vries

Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
SENATE B

Civics/Government, All Social Studies Educators

Host Organization Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District
Company Student Civic Engagement
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

3:00pm CDT

Putting the "Social" Back In SS

Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

UNIV AB

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These are exciting times for educators, but increased focus on STEAM has Social Studies on the back burner. How do we bring it back? Putting the “Social” back in Social Studies! From student and teacher designed simulations, app based gaming, twists on board games and more, come learn with us as we put the “Social” back in social studies to increase engagement.

Speakers

Erin Patchak

Middle School Social Studies and English Language Arts Teacher, Bay View Middle School Howard-Suamico School District

I have been teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies and English language arts at Bay View Middle School in the Howard-Suamico School District for 21 years. I LOVE bringing social studies to life with my middle schoolers through simulation experiences, project based learning, and... Read More →

Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
UNIV AB

General Social Studies, Middle School 6-8

Host Organization Bay View Middle School Howard-Suamico School District
Company Student Civic Engagement, Learning Through Inquiry
Audience 60 minute General Presentation