Project Based Learning FAQ’s-2016

1. Where is the conference held? This year’s conference will be held at the Holiday Inn, located at 441 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool, NY. The site is conveniently located close to major highways (Interstate 81 and the New York State Thruway/Interstate 90) and the Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
2. What are the hours of the conference? The conference runs for three days August 3 - August 5, 2015, beginning at 8:30 each morning and commencing at 4:30 each afternoon. Each conference day begins and ends with a presentation by a keynote speaker. In addition, there will be opportunities to work with national and local practitioners by participating in break out sessions, gallery walks, and coached collaboration.
3. Is there early bird and late registration? What is your cancellation policy? There is no early registration this year, however it is currently open to everyone at this time. The cost for BOCES component districts is $450.00, $550.00 for NY non-component districts and $650.00 for out-of-state and self-registering attendees. Please note that cancellations will not be accepted after July 20, 2015, however substitutions will be accepted.
4. Can you register on the day of the conference? Unfortunately, registration will not be accepted on the day of the conference.
5. Can I pay less if I only attend one day of the conference? Please note that the conference fee covers all three days of the event. The amount cannot be adjusted for day-to-day participation.
6. What is included in the registration fee? The registration fee covers three days of keynote and guest speakers, trainings, coaching and hands-on learning activities around PBL. There is also an hour long break in the middle of each day at which time lunch is provided as part of the conference.
7. Will lunch be provided? Yes a buffet lunch will be provided all three days during the conference. In addition a continental breakfast will also be offered each morning.
8. Are there rooms available at a discounted rate? The Holiday Inn is hoping to have a block of rooms available for attendees of the PBLNY 2015 conference. Please contact the hotel directly for information regarding availability and cost. Their contact information is (315) 457-1122.
9. What type of offerings are available for those new to PBL? This conference offers exciting opportunities to be indoctrinated into the world of PBL through experiences with nationally recognized experts in the field. Specifically, attendees will be given the option to attend sessions including: “Introduction to PBL”, “Guiding In-Depth Inquiry”, “Taking a Look at a Project from Beginning to End”, and “Creating Student Centered Learning Experiences through Effective Technology Integration” among other options.
10. I was already trained in PBL101, should I consider attending? Yes! Participants with a background in PBL will find a number of different offerings that will help to expand on their knowledge and skills such as: “PBL Stem & Tech”, “Online Resources That Will Amplify PBL in a Blended Environment”, “Designing Deeper Lessons”, “Creativity through Constraint: Projects that Enliven and Challenge”, “Authentic PBL Work,” and many more.
11. I’m an administrator, will the conference apply to me? Definitely, administrators at any level play a significant role in supporting staff and laying the groundwork for success to occur with PBL within an educational setting. By participating in the conference you can gain knowledge and understanding which will be useful in communicating with different stakeholders, engaging in dialogue around curriculum and lesson planning, as well as, offering feedback around observations and goal setting. Project Based Learning leadership breakout sessions may be particularly useful for teams of administrators and teacher leaders.
12. Do I need to sign up for workshops prior to the conference? There is no need to sign up for workshops either prior to or on the day of the conference. Please peruse the offerings and attend any sessions you believe will be beneficial for your deeper learning. There are also opportunities to participate in a gallery walk of projects and coached collaboration.
13. What can I expect from this year’s conference that is different from last year? This year’s conference will feature nationally recognized, prominent speakers who will focus on the theme of Deeper Learning with cutting edge information and PBL strategies. Ongoing workshops occurring during the day will offer educators the opportunity to collaborate with others, obtain feedback from experts, and obtain tangible ideas and plans for using PBL in their own setting. Many of this year’s scheduled workshops were derived from the latest PBL research and feedback from last year’s attendees to make this event even more exciting than the previous year.
14. What lodging & local attractions are nearby? Syracuse is a city of more than 700,000 people nestled right in the center of upstate New York. Our city is home to the Syracuse University Orangemen, who have been nationally recognized for their high performance in sports, particularly in regards to basketball, football and lacrosse. A number of restaurants in the area have been featured on national food networks due to their popularity with the locals as well as a high demand for customer favorites. Shopping is also located nearby at Destiny USA, which offers 2.5 million square feet of shops, restaurants and other attractions. During the summer, Syracuse is home to a number of different concerts, plays, festivals, sporting events and more. Further to the west, there are outlet malls and the Finger Lakes wine country to explore. To the north, adventure lovers will appreciate the beauty of the Adirondacks. Particularly in the summer, with countless things to do and beautiful weather to enjoy, Syracuse has something for everyone.
15. Is there wifi available? Yes, Wireless Internet is available in Standard Rooms, Executive Rooms, Suites, the Business Center and Public Areas.
16. Are professional development hours available, and, if so, how do I obtain a copy of my hours? Yes (need help here with the details please)
17. Will resources be available to take back to use in my classroom with students? Attendees will walk away from the conference with concrete ideas and suggestions to use in a PBL classroom. Participants will become engaged in deeper learning through access to websites, twitter accounts to follow, and online PBL resources through the OCM BOCES PBL page.
18. Are there exhibitors at the conference? There are not vendors or exhibitors.
19. Is there a dress code for the conference? Business casual is the typical way to dress for this conference. Layers are suggested since the temperature in air-conditioned rooms can fluctuate.
20. Is the venue wheelchair accessible? Yes. The area where the conference is being held is accessible, as well as the restaurant, registration desk and several guest rooms. Furthermore, there is accessible self-parking and assistive listening devices (upon request) available.
21. Who do I contact with any additional questions? Please feel free to contact Kate Walters with any questions you may have or assistance that you need. She can be reached via email at kwalters@ocmboces.org or via phone at (315) 433-2662.

• Return to PBLNY Home