IAGC Winter Summit

Elementary & Middle School Gifted Ed in the Age of AI

February 6 - 9, 2026 | The Geneva Inn, Lake Geneva, WI


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Event Details

📍 The Venue

The Geneva Inn

N2009 S Lake Shore Dr

Lake Geneva, WI 53147

Enjoy panoramic lakeside views and intimate learning spaces.

📅 The Dates

Friday, Feb 6 – Monday, Feb 9

Four days of immersive learning for K-8 educators, coordinators, and administrators.

🎯 The Focus

K-8 Gifted & AI

Safety for under-13s, differentiation tools, gamification, and inquiry-based learning.

Conference Sessions

Select from multiple tracks each hour: Tech Tools Pedagogy SEL & Equity Leadership

Friday, February 6th: Kickoff
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Keynote

Opening Keynote: The Rise of AI in the K-8 Education World

Speaker: Dr. Brian Housand
Renowned speaker from the IAGC 30th Annual Conference
Dr. Housand returns to discuss how AI is reshaping the childhood of our gifted learners. From "Digital Nannies" to "Creative Co-pilots," what does the future look like for the elementary and middle school classroom?
4:45 PM - 6:30 PM
Social

Winter Summit Social Hour

Join us in the Lakeside Atrium. Connect with fellow K-8 educators, meet the speakers, and enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres.

Saturday, Feb 7th: Foundations & Safety
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Admin/Legal

The "Under 13" Problem: COPPA & Safety

Navigating student data privacy. Which AI tools (MagicSchool, Mizou) are legally safe for K-8?

K-2 Focus

Primary AI: Reading Assistants

Using tools like "Read Along by Google" and AI voice tools to support early advanced readers.

General

Intro to AI for the Hesitant Teacher

A gentle, non-technical start. How to use AI just to save time on emails and newsletters.

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Differentiation

The Differentiation Engine

Instantly rewrite texts to 3rd, 5th, or 9th grade Lexile levels for mixed-ability clusters.

Middle School

Prompt Engineering for Inquiry

Teaching 6th-8th graders how to "interrogate" AI for deeper research questions.

Neurodiversity

AI & The 2e Learner

Assistive tech tools that bypass executive function deficits to unlock gifted potential.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Workshop

Deep Dive: Digital Citizenship

Addressing perfectionism and "cheating anxiety" in high-achieving students.

Hands-On

Build Your First Custom Chatbot

A guided workshop using SchoolAI to create a "Historical Figure" bot for your class.

Coordination

Defining "Gifted" in an AI World

Roundtable: Does AI change our identification criteria for creativity?

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch Break (Buffet served in Grand View Restaurant)
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Creativity

Visual Storytelling with AI Art

Using Adobe Firefly to help students visualize complex fantasy worlds.

STEM

Coding with Co-Pilots

Integrating AI coding assistants into middle school robotics clubs.

Parents

Parent Night: Explaining AI

How to host a workshop for parents concerned about AI use in schools.

2:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Middle School

The AI Debate Partner

Using ChatGPT to find logical fallacies in student arguments (Double Session).

Gamification

Quiz Gen Wizardry

Generate Blooket, Kahoot, and Gimkit sets from your curriculum in seconds.

Networking

Grade Level Roundtables

Breakouts: K-2 (Port Room), 3-5 (Starboard Room), 6-8 (Lobby).

Sunday, Feb 8th: Projects & Creativity
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Math

Math Enrichment & AI

Generating "Low Floor, High Ceiling" math challenges for advanced 4th/5th graders.

PBL

Project Based Learning Generator

Using "PBL Works" AI tools to design interdisciplinary units instantly.

Policy

Updating the Student Handbook

Drafting academic honesty policies that make sense for 2026.

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Executive Function

Breaking Down Big Projects

Tools to help disorganized gifted kids create their own checklists and timelines.

Humanities

AI for Literature Circles

Creating custom discussion guides and "What If" scenarios for novel studies.

Equity

Identification & Data

Using AI data analysis to spot potential in underrepresented K-5 populations.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Showcase

Project Showcase: AI-Assisted "Genius Hour"

Plenary Session: Examples of 5th and 8th grade Capstone projects where students used AI as a research assistant, coder, or editor. Featuring a panel of students from local districts.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch Break (Lakefront walk optional)
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Assessment

Assessment Without Essays

Designing podcasts, speeches, and builds that prove mastery without AI cheating.

Portfolios

Digital Portfolios

Using AI to help students curate and reflect on their growth over the year.

Social

Peer Relations

Helping gifted kids navigate social media algorithms and online pressure.

2:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Workshop

Implementation Planning Block

Guided time for school teams to plan their AI integration strategy for the upcoming school year. (Coaches available in the room).

Monday, Feb 9th: Leadership & Admin
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Staffing

Principal's Guide to AI

Leading staff through AI anxiety and professional development requirements.

Curriculum

Curriculum Audits

Using AI to scan your current curriculum maps for gaps in rigor.

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Future Planning

Future-Proofing Gifted Ed

What skills will matter in 2035? Adjusting the NAGC Standards for an AI world.

Operations

The AI Admin Assistant

Automating emails, scheduling, and grant writing for busy coordinators.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Deep Dive

Emotional Intelligence & AI

Why human connection and EQ are becoming the new "premium" skills for gifted students. How to teach empathy in a digital age.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Final Networking Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Closing Workshop

The Human Advantage

Identifying the unique human traits we must nurture in gifted children alongside AI.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Closing

Conclusionary Speaker: The Road Ahead

A synthesis of the weekend's learning and a call to action for Illinois K-8 educators.

Registration

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