Q.
What are the expectations for facilitators and students
to participate?
EAST programs are expected to register a Conference team (EAST facilitators and up to 1
administrator and 8 students) and participate in the Conference showcase. While attendance is
not required at any session or event, EAST programs are encouraged to spend as much time as
possible exploring the event. There is a lot happening over the three days, and you don’t want
to miss out on opportunities to showcase your work, network, and celebrate your accomplishments.
Q.
What if I don’t have 8 EAST students who are able to attend?
That’s no problem. As usual, we give you the opportunity to bring up to 8 students, but there is
no minimum number required. EAST Conference is an incredible opportunity for your EAST program,
and you should want to share this experience with as many students as possible.
Q.
What if my administrator is unable to participate?
Administrator participation is not required. However, we do see the benefit in them attending
and did want to provide that opportunity.
Q.
Will there be opportunities for additional students, parents, etc. to attend Conference?
Possibly! For budgeting purposes, our priority is on providing a unique experience for your
Conference team (EAST facilitators, up to 1 admin and 8 students). However, we are keeping our
eyes open for additional opportunities to invite others to share in the experience. A new
feature of this year’s Conference is a Mainstage that will be live streamed to our Facebook,
YouTube, and/or Conference website. Stay tuned for more details.
Q.
What is the Conference Showcase and how is it different from previous years?
Not much has changed, except that everything is happening virtually! The Conference Showcase
consists of two parts: 1) a virtual school booth, which includes a recorded video of the program
pitch, and 2) a live, online, question and answer session with a panel of judges. The recorded
video will be viewed by judges prior to the live Q&A. Stay tuned for more information about the
video submission process and deadline.
Q.
How many projects do we need to showcase in our booth, and what if I don’t have enough?
Per the booth
rubric, EAST programs are expected to share a minimum of five diverse projects
that provide a solid representation of their program. We encourage you to reach out to your Site
Support person for support with identifying projects and additional questions and concerns.
Q.
Are we also expected to set up a physical booth in our classroom?
While programs are encouraged to set up a physical booth in their classroom, only the virtual
booth will be assessed by the judges. A physical booth can be used for promotional purposes,
in-person celebrations with your school or community, and as a backdrop when recording the
program pitch.
Q.
What is the cost to attend or participate in EAST Conference?
There are no costs to attend EAST Conference, but here are a few budgetary considerations. We
recommend planning for a substitute, meals and/or snacks for your Conference team, and materials
for your booth (if you are able to create one in your classroom). We also encourage you to
request some funds to support additional celebration activities for your EAST program.
Q.
Will we be able to attend breakout sessions?
There will be opportunities to attend breakout sessions and other educational activities. We are
especially excited because going virtual allows us to open up many more "seats" in those
sessions. Stay tuned for more information!
Q.
Will there be social activities for the students and facilitators to participate in?
Yes, we are planning to incorporate some fun engagement activities and networking opportunities.
Stay tuned!
Q.
Who do I contact if I need an accommodation to attend virtually?
To request accommodations for this virtual event, please contact events@EASTstaff.org.