Creativity - More Than Just a Buzzword

Creativity isn’t something new to add—it’s already alive in your classroom. In this session, the Merrills will share how creativity doesn’t need to be redefined in our AI-enhanced world, but rather recognized in the many ways students express it today—and given room to grow. You’ll explore classroom-ready strategies, real examples of student work, and digital tools (including some of our favorites like Lumio, Canva, Padlet, and SchoolAI) that foster student voice, choice, and original thinking. Whether students are designing, reflecting, remixing, or storytelling, creativity can thrive when the classroom is designed to support it. Leave with practical ways to spot and support creativity in all its forms. In this session, we’ll explore how to shift from passive consumption to active creation using AI as a launchpad for innovation. You’ll leave with concrete, classroom-ready examples that put student voice at the center. We’ll also unpack the “how” behind the book: how to scaffold creative thinking, how to guide ethical AI use, and how to make every lesson unforgettable, whether you’re new to AI or ready to go all in. Attendees will walk away with free digital resources and exclusive templates. Let’s create a classroom where AI supports, not replaces, imagination!