CSTANJ CSPDWeek 2026

Discover how any teacher — regardless of coding background — can use vibe coding and AI to build custom classroom apps, games, and assessment tools that meet the specific needs of their students. This session shares real-world examples, practical platforms, and a hands-on path to creating your own educational technology.

Vibe coding is changing what's possible for educators. By describing what you want in plain English, teachers can now build functional, engaging, standards-aligned web applications without writing a single line of code. As a 3rd grade teacher in New Jersey, I have spent the past two years using these tools to build a portfolio of classroom apps that include NJSLA test prep platforms, 3D math games, cursive writing curricula, and adaptive learning environments — all designed specifically for the students sitting in front of me each day.

This session will demystify vibe coding for educators and demonstrate how it can be used to create personalized learning experiences that no off-the-shelf product can match. Participants will see real classroom apps in action, hear about the platforms and AI models that power them, and learn the workflow I use to take an idea from a sticky note to a finished, student-ready tool. We'll explore the pedagogical possibilities, the practical considerations around student data and cybersecurity, and the ways teachers can use these tools to differentiate instruction, engage reluctant learners, and reclaim their creative voice in the classroom.

Whether you teach PreK or high school, this session will give you a clear understanding of what vibe coding is, why it matters for the future of education, and how to begin building your own classroom tools. Hands-on segments will give participants the chance to start building a real project they can take back to their students.

This session will give elementary school teachers a clear understanding of what vibe coding is, why it matters for the future of education, and how to begin building your own classroom tools. Hands-on segments will give participants the chance to start building a real project they can take back to their students.

These informal, end‑of‑day meetups give K–12 educators a dedicated space to connect with colleagues who teach similar grade levels. Teachers can share insights from the day’s sessions, compare classroom experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange practical strategies that support computer science and AI learning. Whether you’re looking to reflect on new ideas, troubleshoot with peers, or build ongoing professional relationships, these meetups offer a supportive environment for meaningful conversation and collaboration.

What if students didn’t just use AI—but directed it? In this hands-on session, educators will learn how to guide K–5 students in creating 3D-style characters and stories using simple, accessible AI tools. This approach blends creative writing, storytelling, and computer science in a way that’s engaging, developmentally appropriate, and aligned to NJSLS-CS standards. Participants will leave with a ready-to-use lesson they can implement right away.

AI is quickly becoming part of everyday life, and elementary students need early, meaningful experiences that help them understand how it works and how to use it responsibly. This session introduces a classroom-tested, “creative first” approach to AI literacy that makes complex ideas accessible for young learners.

Using a simple, structured workflow, participants will learn how students can use AI tools (text, image, and voice) to create 3D-style characters and short story scenes—connecting naturally to skills in writing, design, and computational thinking.

Throughout the session, we will focus on practical strategies teachers can bring directly into their classrooms, including:
Prompting as a process
Teaching students that prompts are clear, step-by-step instructions—helping build early understanding of algorithms and logical thinking

Storytelling through design
Supporting students in developing characters, settings, and narratives while using AI as a creative tool—not a replacement for thinking

Human-centered AI use
Helping students understand their role as the creator, with an emphasis on decision-making, ownership, and responsible use

This is a highly interactive session where participants will experience the lesson as learners, then reflect as educators. Time will be built in for discussion, adaptation across grade levels, and planning for classroom use.

Participants will leave with:
A ready-to-use lesson plan
A clear, repeatable workflow
Strategies for integrating AI into existing curriculum without needing advanced tech skills or materials"