New T3 Coaches Empowered at ASTE Pre-Conference Event

The T3 Alliance, supported by T3 Alaska, recently hosted a high-energy pre-conference training event at the annual Alaska Society for Technology in Education (ASTE) conference held February 14-16. This “train-the-trainer” session successfully inducted new educators into the T3 fold, marking a major milestone for the T3 Chugach-Yukon FUTURES Initiative.

Building a Sustainable STEM Future
The event directly supports a core objective of the partnership between the Lower Yukon (LYSD) and Chugach School Districts (CSD): training district staff as T3 Coaches to ensure the delivery of high-quality, consistent STEM programming across rural Alaska.

“Our target is to establish six makerspaces and operate a T3 program in each of our 12 schools,” said Conrad Woodhead, Residency Director at Kusilvak Career Academy. “This exciting event started us on the pathway forward. In five years, T3 will be fully embedded in the districts’ education system.”

Hands-On Learning and Design Thinking
The training day was designed to mirror the T3 program’s signature hands-on, student-centered approach:
Growth Mindset in Action: After learning about the foundations of the T3 Alliance, the new coaches participated in a “brushbot” building exercise to practice growth mindset principles.

Community Connection: The afternoon focused on “community-driven” strategies, with participants brainstorming local partners to support place-based learning.

Innovative Ideas: Attendees received a specialized presentation on Electric Vehicles from the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP).

Design Thinking: The session concluded with an exercise where coaches partnered up to design and build prototype backpacks using design thinking methodology.

A Foundation for Impact
By the end of the event, the new coaches left with a firm understanding of T3 Alaska’s core principles and ideas on how to implement the program within their respective schools. We are coaches will be instrumental in helping the districts reach their goal of increasing student interest in STEM careers and improving graduation rates through immersive, culturally responsive education.

T3 continues to grow throughout the state, dedicated to making a difference for Alaska’s students—one experience at a time.