February+2017+planning+meeting

Attending: Norton Gusky (recorder), Justin Driscoll, Justin Aglio, Kevin Conner, Ron Reyer, Kris Hupp, Jordan Lippman, Tyler, Samstag, Jeff Devlin (guest), Rachel O (guest)

Review of 2016 TRETC
 * Successes
 * Turnout - over 600 people including Montour teachers
 * Location based on survey data
 * Quality of presentations
 * Overall format
 * Working with Montour School District
 * Areas to improve
 * Signage for conference
 * Final wrap-up session
 * Provide an opening activity that sets the stage for the conference
 * Attendance at pre-conference workshops
 * Access to vendors and student showcase
 * Limit space to two floors
 * Plans for 2017
 * Location - Montour if change in administrative team continues to support the event; due to the change in administrative leadership the committee agreed to send an RFP to schools who might be interested in hosting TRETC. Possible schools include: North Hills, Mount Lebanon, Fox Chapel, Baldwin.
 * Date/Time - November 6-7 (on Montour calendar. Could change with issues with Montour) with full-day conference ending by 3:00 pm
 * Format - continue with 1/2 day pre-conference and full day conference
 * Theme - Personalizing Learning (title to be developed by committee)
 * New Directions:
 * Move to dinner for educational leaders for pre-conference with targeted workshops for educational leaders around Personalized Learning
 * Seek corporate sponsorship for pre-conference dinner tables
 * Include poster sessions for full day (details to be worked out by planning team / Kris Hupp will chair)
 * Create Remake Learning Days Revisited space
 * Include a Maker Zone/Innovation Zone with hands-on activities that would include Fab Lab
 * Include at pre-conference Design Challenges to be displayed at full day conference
 * Use Planetarium for special presentations
 * Wrap up with people sharing out and captured with visual note-taking
 * Opening activity for full-day - IGNITE Talks with Administrator, Teacher, Student presenters
 * Other Ideas to explore:
 * EVENTZEE challenge (similar to GooseChase)
 * Include a music group, e.g. the Clarks as entertainment for full-day event
 * ALL STUDENTS ATTEND FREE IF WE WANT STUDENTS TO ATTEND