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Close encounters with innovation
The STEM Summit of South Texas is a 2-day conference hosted at South Padre Island. Day 1 features half-day interactive STEM seminars on a variety of leading topics dealing with K-12 STEM program development.
Day 2 features a complete list of breakout sessions on a variety of topics and strands. The STEM Summit is also offered in partnership with current MEGAbyte consortium members.
We are honored to have Kathryn Lueders, SpaceX Starbase General Manager as our opening keynote presenter.
Some questions, some answers
Don’t miss this chance to spark curiosity and innovation in the next generation. Sign up today to be part of this incredible STEM adventure
Agenda At A Glance
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Time
Session
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Registration
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Keynote
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Exhibitor Break
10:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Seminar Session 1
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Lunch on your own / Vendor Exhibits
1:45 PM - 4:00 PM
Seminar Session 2
Friday, February 21, 2025
Time
Session
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Registration
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
STEM Opening Group Activity
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Exhibitor Break
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM
Breakout Sessions - Block 1
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM
Breakout Sessions - Block 2
12:20 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch Break
1:30 PME - 2:20 PM
Breakout Session - Block 3
2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Breakout Session - Block 4
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Closing Presentation & Door Prizes
Keynote Speaker
Kathryn Lueders
General Manager of Starbase
Kathryn Lueders is currently General Manager of Starbase, home of the SpaceX Starship transportation system.
Prior to coming to Starbase, Kathy spent over thirty years at NASA serving in many leadership positions. Most notably, she had three firsts as a NASA leader - the first female heads of the Space Operations and Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorates overseeing all human NASA operations, and the first female human spaceflight program manager.
As the Commercial Crew Program manager she oversaw the return of human spaceflight back to US soil. She started her career at the White Sands Test Facility overseeing the repair and test of Space Shuttle Orbiter hardware.
Lueders holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration finance from the University of New Mexico and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from New Mexico State University. She is married to Jeremy Horne and is most proud of her four children – Miguel, Julia, Liam and Emma.
Prior to coming to Starbase, Kathy spent over thirty years at NASA serving in many leadership positions. Most notably, she had three firsts as a NASA leader - the first female heads of the Space Operations and Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorates overseeing all human NASA operations, and the first female human spaceflight program manager.
As the Commercial Crew Program manager she oversaw the return of human spaceflight back to US soil. She started her career at the White Sands Test Facility overseeing the repair and test of Space Shuttle Orbiter hardware.
Lueders holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration finance from the University of New Mexico and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from New Mexico State University. She is married to Jeremy Horne and is most proud of her four children – Miguel, Julia, Liam and Emma.
Sally Robinson
Educator
Sally Robinson has deep ties to PK-12 public education in Texas and beyond, with more than 25 years in educational publishing. Sally brings her focus to Ed Tech solutions, centering on digital literacy, scaled implementations, and dynamic learning resources for educators and students. Sally holds an M.F.A. in Drama and Communications and a B.F.A. in Design.
Victoria Montez
AP English Literature & Composition / Onramps Rhetoric Instructor at IDEA Edinburg College Prep
Victoria has been teaching for approximately 8 years and has been an AP reader for the past four summers. She was born and raised in Edinburg, Texas, where she attended the University of Texas-Pan American for her undergraduate career and the University of Texas–RGV for her master's. Before working at IDEA Public Schools, she worked at the University Writing Center and spent two summers working with the students for the Upward Bound Program in Weslaco.
Marisol Ayala
AP English Curriculum Manager at IDEA Public Schools
A native of the Rio Grande Valley with over 17 years of educational experience, she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in English from The University of Texas Pan American. Passionate about integrating the arts into STEM and Project-Based Learning (PBL), Marisol has a deep commitment to fostering innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to education. She is dedicated to enhancing both student achievement and engagement, focusing on the development of skills in analytical writing. Marisol currently resides in the DFW area with her husband, special needs son, and three dogs, where she enjoys and advocates for inclusion within the disability community.
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
CLASSVR
Amplify
Just Right Reader
Gold Sponsors
Explore Learning
Sphero
Magic School
ClassLink
Silver Sponsors
Learning.com
Discovery Education
WGU
zSpace
Maker Maven
National Math Stars
WB Manufacturing
PITSCO Education