MTPBS EdFest Online Conference for Teachers June 23-24, 2026
Get ready for two days of inspiration, practical strategies, and Montana-powered creativity at MTPBS EdFest—a free online event designed by educators and PBS experts for K–12 teachers across Big Sky Country!
Whether you teach littles, teens, or somewhere in between, this conference is your chance to explore the very best of PBS resources and classroom-ready tools. Learn how to bring storytelling, science, social studies, media literacy, and hands-on learning to life with content your students will love while making planning more efficient!
Bookmark this site so you have everything you need to participate in the conference!
Frequently Asked Questions about EdFest
How many PDUs can I earn at EdFest?
You can earn up to 12 PDUs for attending both days of the conference. The day after the conference ends we will email everyone who signs in to the final session of the conference a certificate for 12 PDUs. It will be up to each teacher to report to their district and to OPI about how many session were attended. We will NOT be sending this information to individual teachers–we just don’t have the bandwidth to do that with a small team.
Do I have to attend all of the sessions to earn PDUs?
You can attend as many sessions as you choose but YOU are in charge of keeping track of them! The day after the conference ends we will email everyone who signs in to the final session of the conference a certificate for 12 PDUs. It will be up to each teacher to report to their district and to OPI about how many sessions were attended. We will NOT be sending this information to individual teachers–we just don’t have the bandwidth to do that with a small team.
How do I join EdFest sessions?
The schedule of sessions is just below on this webpage. Click the Zoom link to join each session. Wait to be added from the waiting room. Make sure you have the Zoom application downloaded and updated before the conference begins. The best way to attend the conference will be from a quiet room on a laptop or desktop computer–not a phone. It is hard to interact in the chat box when you join from a phone. It can also be difficult to click on links and explore resources. We strongly advise that you refrain from driving or sitting in a parked car with other passengers to listen to the sessions–we want you to be safe and present for EdFest!
Can someone still register and attend EdFest?
No, registration is closed and we will not be able to add any new teachers to the list.
What time does EdFest start and end each day?
EdFest begins at 9am and ends at 4pm each day.
How will attendance be tracked at EdFest?
You will be asked to fill out a google form to sign in to each session so we can track attendance. This is the ONLY way we will be tracking attendance so please make sure you sign in!
How will I access the slides and resources shared in each session?
We will share links to slides and other resources in the chat box so please make sure you can access the chat box during all sessions. We will send an email out to all participants with links to all of the resources shared the week after EdFest.
Do I have to have my camera on to participate in EdFest?
It is up to you to choose to have your camera on during the conference. We love to see your faces while we present but we understand if that is not comfortable for you. We do ask that everyone interact in the chat box during each session.
EdFest Documents
EdFest Schedule and Zoom Links
Tuesday June 23, 2026
| All times in MST | Elementary Strand | Secondary Strand |
| 9am-10am | General Welcome Session Zoom Link:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4069946588?omn=81090732256 | |
| 10am-11am | Nikki Vradenburg and Ruby Waller, Montana PBS PBS KIDS in the Classroom Zoom Link: | Kari Wardle, Idaho Public Television kNOw Vape Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89314331847?pwd=ZFaCRgt9iwksUctLmLUMasgebQbr6T.1 |
| 11am-12pm | Traci Piltz, Billings Public Schools Creative Coding and AI Basics Zoom Link: | Ann Bernard, Montana PBS Media Mavericks: The Power of Youth Media Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84545777111?pwd=ySHeymJLTwlypiywMeAMM2TlVEqXzg.1 |
LUNCH BREAK | ||
| 1pm-2pm | Kari Wardle, Idaho Public Television All the Feelings! Social Emotional Learning with PBS KIDS Zoom Link: | Rachel Roberson, KQED Supercharge Student Voice and Creativity w/Youth Media Challenge Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81485260087?pwd=7VJF08pk55zMfZNUShW3TFVGqJnNs0.1 |
| 2pm-3pm | Jordan Parker, Missoula Public Schools The Invisible Backpack: Strategies for Managing Student Anxiety Zoom Link: | Will Fassbender, Montana State University Podcasting Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82229622876?pwd=J3GwtsrO0ajUHubYtWygp1CXD8jUmO.1 |
| 3pm-4pm | Traci Piltz, Billings Public Schools More than Minutes Making Digital Learning Count Zoom Link: | Katherine Hodge, Museum of the Rockies Museum of the Rockies Resources for Teachers Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85670741515?pwd=BsuzVyntA88B4s6FHGvj5N15fU0S92.1 |
Wednesday June 24, 2026
| All times in MST | Elementary Strand | Secondary Strand |
| 9am-10am | Nikki Vradenburg, Montana PBS Montana Made: Resources for Montana Teachers on PBS LearningMedia Zoom Link: | Ann Bernard, Montana PBS Celebrate Freedom Week with America 250 and American Revolution Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86376366957?pwd=6oZkclJiVCvfSi3vLh2CO5aQePmZnd.1 |
| 10am-11am | Eva Ticknor, Bozeman Counseling Center Supporting Students with ADHD Zoom Link: | Rachel Roberson, KQED Share or Beware: Fact Check Like a Pro in the Age of AI Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89367380607?pwd=YYjwxfSRaGBJLOggfZAwOQZguDsbTA.1 |
| 11am-12pm | PBS is HERE for Teachers Prek-12 General Session Zoom Link: | |
LUNCH BREAK | ||
| 1pm-2pm | Tyler Moore, Montana PBS Environmental Education Zoom Link: | George Scott, Bozeman Public Schools Supporting Youth Media Projects Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82999901557?pwd=wcXXpJAi6QBHtRl5b0AWaxoyz5gPxu.1 |
| 2pm-3pm | Nikki Vradenburg, Montana PBS Facilitated Sharing and Reflection Session Zoom Link: | Ann Bernard, Montana PBS Facilitated sharing and reflection session Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88179224761?pwd=tbkxFOd0frggAmFlbbOqjd1ZkrOQn1.1 |
| 3pm-4pm | General Closing Session | |