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Teacher Leaders Reimagining STEM Through Play
July 28ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½“30, 2026 | Rochester, NY

The Northeast Noyce Professional Learning Network was pleased to host this event for Noyce Master Teaching Fellows (MTFs) and MTF Alumni.

Participants explored how play can foster creativity, curiosity, innovation, and leadership while strengthening connections across the Noyce community. Event activities included collaborative design challenges, engineering experiences, structured networking, interactive sessions with the Play Collaborative at Nazareth University, and immersive visits to the Rochester Museum & Science Center and the Strong National Museum of Play.

The event’s goals centered on deepening STEM learning, strengthening teacher leadership, and building a collaborative network of educators committed to supporting one another and their students. Feedback from participants demonstrated the event’s success, with nearly all attendees strongly agreeing that they gained new perspectives on play and leadership, developed meaningful professional connections, and identified ideas they could immediately bring back to their classrooms, schools, and districts. Participants highlighted the value of rethinking what play can look like in educational settings and exploring ways to integrate play into teaching, learning, and leadership practice.

We are grateful to all who attended, facilitated sessions, and shared their experiences. The relationships, ideas, and inspiration generated during these three days will continue to strengthen STEM teacher leadership across the Northeast Noyce community.