2026 ISBE Career Connections Conference

Energy – It is the lifeblood of our society. Increasingly in the news, standards exist across multiple grade levels and create engaging opportunities for hands-on STEM activities that help bridge the gap between industry and the classroom. Discover how an innovative industry-education program in schools across the Midwest is revolutionizing STEM education by integrating math, science, and Career & Technical Education (CTE). This session will explore strategies for breaking down educational silos, providing students with real-world learning experiences while offering opportunities to earn valuable industry certifications, including data analytics and AI. Join Rural IL CTE Project Advisory Council Member/Kansas HOF teacher/Trane Educator in Residence Dan Whisler to learn how this collaborative approach is equipping students with skills and credentials needed for success in today’s dynamic workforce. Several schools have already earned national recognition through this program…could your school be next?!

The newest CTE career clusters list digital technology as foundational skills for all students, but these invaluable tools have often been out of reach for many rural school districts because of perceived barriers around costs and technical ability. Thankfully, you don’t need to be a computer scientist to teach your students about technology! This hands-on session introduces the micro:bit, a simple microcontroller, as a versatile, budget-friendly tool for teaching about sensors, data,  and automation concepts with zero prior coding experience. Participants will use the intuitive Microsoft MakeCode editor to build career-connected projects that utilize built-in sensors for real-world environmental monitoring and data collection. The workshop demonstrates how to bridge the gap between digital logic and physical hardware, offering a scalable curriculum that ranges from beginner-friendly blocks to advanced text-based programming. Participants will leave with practical, ready-to-use activities that prepare students for the increasingly tech-driven landscape of modern industry.

This session explores how HOSA–Future Health Professionals can be strategically integrated into Health Science programs to strengthen Work-Based Learning (WBL), develop leadership capacity, and intentionally build career-ready skills. Participants will learn how to move beyond viewing HOSA as an “extra activity” and instead leverage it as a structured instructional tool that enhances curriculum outcomes, student engagement, and workforce readiness.

Rural communities need stronger talent pathways, and rural CTE programs are uniquely positioned to build these for student success and community vitality. Data from the Rural IL CTE Project shows major rural economic sectors, such as healthcare, are underserved by local CTE programs. Rural pharmacies are especially endangered by the lack of clear pathways into this high-demand, high-wage, and steady-growth industry. The Rural PharmTech Program, a collaboration between EFE #300, EFE #320, Carle Health, and the Rural IL CTE Project, creates a direct pathway into the rural healthcare sector for college and career-bound students. Students become licensed as Registered Pharmacy Technicians, a credential allowing them to work for pay in every US state. This session will detail the pilot model, explain its role in strengthening rural students and communities, and share early outcomes from the pioneering cohort.

Learn how community advisory committees can be used to drive system development and continuous improvement for how schools increase student awareness, interest, and readiness for promising careers. This collaborative approach supports grade-level career development targets, fosters durable skills, and strengthens academic connections to real-world opportunities across rural, industrial, and suburban districts.