2026 ABCDE Educator Cohort Workshop Schedule

The ABCDE Program is designed around a weekend conference format with a follow up session to give educators time to work with their teams to flush out their ideas. The current weekend dates for this conference are February 7 and 8, with in-person monthly check-ins in March and April. 

Saturday, February 7

10:00 am – 10:30 am

Welcome and Introduction to ABCDE

10:30 am – 11:30 am 

What is Biomimetics?

An Overview and Tour of the Biomimetics and Nanostructured Materials Lab

Presenters: David Kisailus

11:30 am – 12:00 pm 

From Lab Bench to Lesson Plan

Presenters: Ezra Sarmiento, Adrian Ornelas

12:00 pm – 12:30 pm 

Discussion 

Adapting Preexisting Modules for the NGSS Framework

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Working Lunch
(Input, Jigsaw, and Group Formation)

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm 

Break

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Plenary Talk

Teaching Science in Secondary School

3:30 pm – 4:30  pm 

Group Breakout:

Identifying NGSS Standards

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Closing Remarks

Sunday, February 8

10:00 am – 10:30 am 

Arrival + Coffee and Snacks

10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Group Breakout:

Lesson Planning

12:30 pm – 1:30  pm

Lunch

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm 

Think Tank: Sharing Findings

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm 

Wrap Up and Closing Remarks

Optional in-person follow-up sessions will be held on February 21 and March 7 to provide

educators a time and space to finalize their lesson plans.

Saturday, March 21: 

4:30 pm – 5:15 pm

Dinner and Welcoming Statements

5:15 pm – 6:00  pm 

Final Group Breakout

6:00 pm – 8:00  pm 

Group Presentations

8:00 pm – 8:30 pm 

Closing Remarks