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!

8:30am CDT

Using AI to Supercharge Your Content

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CDT

UNIV CD

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Participants will learn about interactive AI tools that they can use to help tune their content with a focus on engagement. Learn to identify and refine the conflict naturally found in our curriculum and then use that as a springboard for building highly engaging classroom experiences. Attendees will leave the session with knowledge of how to utilize AI tools and a product for their own classroom.

Speakers

Matt Bright

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CDT
UNIV CD

General Pedagogy, High School 9-12

Host Organization Beloit Turner High School
Company Engaging Pedagogy, Literacy for the Future
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

12:30pm CDT

Sparking Curiosity and Engaging Students with Media and Collaboration

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

UNIV CD

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This session offers participants the opportunity to engage in an inquiry driven session through unique media formats and collaborative activities. Participants will be engaged and leave with activities that can be used in the classroom immediately!

Speakers

Angela Terry-Boggs

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

US History, High School 9-12

Host Organization Imagine Learning
Company Engaging Pedagogy, Learning Through Inquiry
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

1:45pm CDT

Primary Sources in Early Grades: Historical Literacy for Little Historians

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

UNIV CD

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Engage your elementary classroom with innovative primary source integration inspired by the Bill of Rights Institute’s curriculum. Gain practical strategies, resources, and hands-on techniques for engaging historical inquiry and empowering students. Leave prepared to inspire!

Speakers

Lori Rech

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

US History, Elementary K-5

Host Organization Bill of Rights Institute
Company It’s Elementary!
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

3:00pm CDT

Integrating Social Studies Inquiry in Elementary Classrooms

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

UNIV CD

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Many elementary students do not have chances to engage in social studies inquiry. Learn how to integrate elements of inquiry into your day-to-day instruction by hearing how early preservice teachers (i.e. novices) were supported in developing inquiry projects, exploring examples of quality inquiries, and identifying areas you can incorporate student inquiry.

Speakers

Matt McParker

Associate Professor/ EME Program Director, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

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

Elementary, Elementary K-5

Host Organization University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Company It’s Elementary!, Learning Through Inquiry
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

3:00pm CDT

Let the Games Begin! The Power of RPGs and Simulations in Social Studies

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

UNIV CD

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Learn about the process of creating an interactive simulation that engages students in primary source analysis, argumentative writing, inquiry, and collaboration through historical perspective-taking and role play. This model for learning motivates students and offers an opportunity for them to interact with and deeply understand the significance of events in history. Let the games begin!

Speakers

Stephanie Parchem

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

General Pedagogy, All Social Studies Educators

Host Organization Pilgrim Park Middle School
Company Engaging Pedagogy, Learning Through Inquiry
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

9:15am CDT

Bringing AAPI and Hmong Stories to Life: A Teacher's Guide to Implementing Act 266

Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

UNIV CD

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Join Wisconsin Historical Society's workshop led by AAPI and Hmong educators! Learn effective strategies for implementing Act 266 through interactive demos and primary sources. Discover ways to integrate AAPI and Hmong histories into your curriculum. Includes hands-on activities and Q&A to help you confidently bring these important stories to your classroom.

Speakers

Kate Van Haren

Kate Van Haren teaches upper elementary school in Pittsville Wisconsin. She teaches social studies and reading. Kate is a board member of the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies and has worked on curriculum development for the Wisconsin Historical Society, Minnesota Historical... Read More →

Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
UNIV CD

General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

Host Organization Pittsville Elemetnary School/Penn State
Company Sharing Untold Stories, It’s Elementary!
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

10:30am CDT

Your Own Backyard: Using Place-Based Learning and Field Trips to Meet Standards and Increase Student Civic Engagement

Saturday March 15, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CDT

UNIV CD

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Emphasize student-led inquiry and civic engagement through place-based learning! Learn how educators from organizations around the state built a template for teachers and historic sites to use field trips to meet social studies standards. How could you use this customizable template to increase student inquiry in your own backyard?

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 →

Saturday March 15, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
UNIV CD

Civics/Government, All Social Studies Educators

Host Organization WI Dept of Public Instruction
Company Engaging Pedagogy, Local & Global Connections
Audience 60 minute General Presentation

1:15pm CDT

Elevating Civil Rights Movement Voices from Past to Present

Saturday March 15, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT

UNIV CD

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Explore teaching the impact of the Civil Rights Movement’s milestones and their influence on social dynamics and justice efforts. Leave with resources to foster meaningful civil discourse and critical thinking on historical reform and current challenges, like the role of AI in perpetuating biases. Empower students to connect the fight for civil rights to better engage in today’s social issues.

Speakers

Allan Carey

Allan Carey is the Director of Sphere Education Initiatives at the Cato Institute where he leads the organization’s efforts to engage grades 5-12 educators, including the annual Sphere Summit, on civic education, civil discourse, and the institutions of civic culture. Prior to his... Read More →

Saturday March 15, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
UNIV CD

US History, High School 9-12

Host Organization Sphere Education Initiatives
Company Engaging Pedagogy, Bridging Past and Present
Audience 60 minute General Presentation