BootUp National Summit: Shaping the Future of Computer Science & AI in Elementary Education
October 20–22, 2025
The Study at the University of Chicago | Chicago, IL
The BootUp National Summit is a by-invitation-only gathering of visionary leaders shaping the future of computer science and artificial intelligence in elementary education. Hosted in collaboration with national partners and sponsors, this landmark event will convene state and district decision-makers, classroom educators, technology innovators, policymakers, and researchers to chart a bold, equitable path forward for elementary CS and AI education.
Summit Highlights
- Inspiring Keynotes – Hear from industry pioneers, national thought leaders, and education innovators as they share strategies to transform the CS and AI education landscape.
- Equity & Access in Focus – Explore solutions to close opportunity gaps, improve quality, and ensure every student, especially those historically excluded, has the tools to thrive in a digital world.
- Workforce & Economic Impact – Examine how early, equitable CS and AI education can strengthen the U.S. economy, expand the workforce pipeline, and create pathways to high-demand, high-paying careers.
- Collaborative Breakouts & Networking – Engage with peers from across the nation to design actionable strategies that elevate elementary CS and AI implementation in schools and communities.
Together, we are advancing a national movement to ensure students, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or zip code, have access to high-quality CS and AI education from the earliest grades. This work will create lasting educational equity and prepare the next generation to lead in a rapidly evolving technological world.
Special Chicago Invitation!! BootUp is especially proud to host this year’s Summit Exhibitor Hall on Monday October 20th and Tuesday October 21st from 3-6pm for every K–8 teacher in the Chicago area to have the opportunity to attend. Admission is completely free! Register to attend today!
Program Overview
October 20th: Welcome to the Inaugural BootUp Summit!###
| 8:00am - 3:00pm | BootUp in action: Chicago Public Schools Site Visits (closed session, invitation only) |
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| 3:00pm – 6:00pm | Exhibitor Hall opens |
| 5:00pm– 6:00pm | Opening Reception |
| 6:00pm – 8:00pm | Catered Dinner Featuring a fireside chat with BootUp Leadership |
| Lien Diez, CEO Ari Ionnides, Founder and Board Treasurer David Evans, Board Chair |
October 21st: Establishing a National Vision for Elementary CS Education
| 7:30am - 9:00am | Networking Breakfast |
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| 9:00am – 9:30am | Welcome and Introductions |
| MC:Charity Freeman, Senior Director for Broadband at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and CSTA Board Chair Lien Diaz, CEO, BootUp PD |
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| 9:30am–10:30am | Opening Keynote |
| Nichole Pinkard, Alice Hamilton Professor of Learning Sciences, Faculty Director of the Office of Community Education Partnerships at Northwestern University and Founder of Digital Youth Network | |
| 10:45am – 11:40am | From Playground to Pathways: How Early Tech Exposure Shapes the Future Workforce Hear from leaders in industry and workforce development about the crucial role of elementary computer science education in shaping student trajectories toward careers in technology and innovation. |
Sarah Outland, Research Director, Last Mile Fund Latoya Asaya, Senior Product Manager, Amazon Future Engineer Jannie Fernandez, Director of Talent Engagement, Reboot Representation Kathy DeerInWater, Vice President of Programs and Research, American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Moderated by: Allyson Kennedy, Strategic Partnerships Officer, BootUp PD |
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| 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Catered Lunch Featuring a TEDtalk from Dora Palfi, Co-Founder and CEO of imagi |
| 1:00pm – 1:35pm | Creating Opportunity for Students in Every Community This series of flashtalks will highlight BootUp partners who are creating innovative educational strategies to serve students across a range of cultural contexts. |
| Michelle Bettis, Education Technology Trainer for Hamilton County Schools, BootUp partner in Chattanooga TN Coach Ron Crockett, CEO at Fun Zone Reading Club 4 Homeless Kids, BootUp partner in Skid Row, CA Randy Nagitsy, Indian Education Coordinator, Fort Washakie School More TBA! |
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| 1:35pm - 2:00pm | Measuring impact in Elementary CS Education This fireside chat will dive into the role of research and evaluation in ensuring positive student outcomes and highlight how evidence can drive sustainable improvements in CS education for young learners. |
Maya Israel, Director, Associate Professor of Educational Technology and Computer Science Education and Director of CSEveryone Center, University of Florida Amy Hutchinson, Fayard Endowed Chair in Literacy Education and Director of the Digital, Computational, and Data Literacies Lab, University of Alabama Moderated by: Heather Cunningham, Director of Educational Equity & Research, BootUp PD |
| 2:00pm - 2:45pm | Breakout discussions Engage with other attendees and speakers in a discussion on the opportunities and challenges in implementing elementary CS across different levels of the educational system. |
| 3:00pm -6:00pm | Exhibitor Hall opens |
| 3:00pm -3:40pm | A Conversation with CSTA Hear exciting updates from the country's largest professional association supporting K-12 computer science educators. |
| Shaina Glass, Director of Education, CSTA Jake Koressel, K-12 Standards Project Manager, CSTA |
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| 4:00pm – 5:00pm | Voices from the Classroom: Elementary CS Education in Chicago Public Schools Learn about strategies, challenges, and impact of elementary CS efforts from educators in one of the nation’s largest school districts. |
| Kris Beck, Director Computer Science, Computer Science Department of STEM Chicago Public School K-8 educators |
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| 5:00pm – 6:00pm | Networking Reception |
| 6:00pm-7:00pm | Partner Roundtable (closed session, Invitation only) |
October 22nd: Opportunities and Challenges in the AI Era
| 7:30am - 9:00am | Networking Breakfast |
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| 9:00am – 9:45am | Closing keynote |
| Christina Gardner-McCune, Associate Professor of Computer and Information Science and Engineering at University of Florida and Co-Chair of AI4K12 | |
| 9:45am - 10:30am | Serving every student in the age of AI Leaders in equitable CS Education will explore how AI and other emerging technologies can be thoughtfully integrated into elementary CS education, while advancing access and opportunity. |
| Brandon Nicholson, CEO, The Hidden Genius Project Shaina Glass, Director of Education, CSTA Frieda McAlear, Director of Seeding Innovation, Kapor Center Moderated by: Yolanda Lozano, Co-founder and CEO of Computer Science Alliance |
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| 10:30am-11:00am | Breakout discussions Build on the breakout discussions from Day 1, discuss strategies and recommendations for engaging every elementary school student in CS during the age of AI. |
| 11:15am -12:00am | Breakout readouts and closing remarks |
| 12:00pm– 12:30pm | Grab-and-Go Lunch |
Agenda subject to change.
Stay Connected
Although attendance at the summit is by invitation only, we welcome you to stay informed about BootUp’s work and receive updates on future events. Follow us on social media on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X to keep up with us! #BootUpSummit
For any inquiries about the summit please email Bootupsummit@bootuppd.org
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Summit Participation Norms
The BootUp Summit is built on a foundation of equity, inclusion, innovation, and belonging. We expect all participants to uphold these Summit Participation Norms to ensure this gathering is welcoming, respectful, and impactful for every attendee.
