HI-TEC 2026

Save the Date for the 2026 High Impact Technology Exchange Conference!

Supported by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) program, HI-TEC is a national conference on advanced technological education where secondary and postsecondary educators, counselors, industry professionals, trade organizations, and technicians can update their knowledge and skills. Charged with preparing America’s skilled technical workforce, the event focuses on the preparation needed by the existing and future workforce for companies in the high-tech sectors that drive our nation’s economy.

https://www.highimpact-tec.org/

WEDNESDAY

• 10:15-11:00am    Anytime, Anywhere DNA Sequencing and Analysis by Anyone: Oxford Nanopore MiniON and DNA Subway 2.0. Dave Micklos and Anna Feitzinger
• 11:15am-Noon   Industry Validated Technical Skills in Biomanufacturing. Joseph Long
• 11:15am-Noon   Ignite your NSF ATE Journey: Funding Insights and Free Mentor Support. Pamela Silvers and V. Celeste Carter
• 11:15am-Noon   Leveraging BILT to Bring Industry Trends to the Classroom. Sheela Vemu and Hope Cotner
• 1:30-2:15pm   The ATE/ABET Convening: Exploring Synergies. Linnea Fletcher, Mel Cossette, Billie Copley, and Mary Slowinski
• 1:30-2:15pm   J ATE Presents: Better Manuscripts, Proposals, and Annual Reports. Peter Kazarinoff
• 2:30-3:15pm   An Integrated Statewide BILT for Bioscience Workforce Development in California. Terri Quenzer, Hope Cotner, and Ann Beheler
• 3:30-4:15pm    Bridging the Gap: A Group Discussion on High School Recruitment. Michael Fuller and Ying-Tsu Loh

THURSDAY

• 8:00-8:45am   Workplace Navigation Training: Preparing Students for Workplace Success. Karen Leung
• 9:00-9:45am   Building the Bioenergy Workforce: Trends, tools, and Career Pathways. Mike Kollasch
• 10:15-11:00am   The InnovATEBIO Big Idea Hackathon: Results and Next Steps. Sandra Porter and Margaret Bryans
• 10:15-11:00am   Strengthening Industry Connections Through Alumni Engagement. Golnar Afshar
• 11:15am-Noon    Building High-Impact Biotechnology CTE Pathways: From Classroom Labs to Industry Credentials. Poornima Rao
• 1:45-2:30pm    BioSuite Virtual: A Mixed-Reality Approach to Biomanufacturing Training. Margaret Bryans, James Hewlett, Jared DeCoste, Dan Beaupre, and Angela Consani
• 1:45-2:30pm    Transforming the Biotechnology Training Experience With a Student-Centered Approach. Jennifer Tront
• 2:45-3:30pm    BioSCOPE: Professional Skills and Industry Roles Through Student-Led Manufacturing Projects. Ying-Tsu Loh and Emily Quach