What is the SIT Conference?
SIT is a conference presented by Higher Education and K-12 School Districts to provide a forum where kids in grades 3-12 can demonstrate technology tools they have learned in school or that they are interested in.
When is the SIT Conference?
The 2011 Students Involved with Technology Conference will be February 18, 2012 from 8:30-2:00.
Do presenters need a sponsor?
Yes. The sponsors’ role to make sure that the presenter is well-prepared to give their presentation. They are also in the room during the presentation in case the presenter needs assistance.
Do sponsors have to register? Is there a fee for them to register?
Yes. Sponsors need to register for the conference. They are also charged the $25 registration fee. As a sponsor they will receive a conference T-Shirt, bag, lunch and snack. They are not eligible for SIT prizes.
Can parents attend?
SIT is conference by kids for kids. If a parent wants to attend they can – but they have to register as a participant in order to attend. They will get a shirt, lunch and snack. Adult participants are not eligible for SIT Prizes.
Can I bring a child that is younger than 3rd grade?
No. Due to the nature of the conference, it is not geared for younger children.
What if I want to come see my child’s presentation?
You would need to register as a participant. Due to the safety and security of the students, only registered attendees are permitted at the conference.
Do I have to sign up in advance?
Yes. If you want to attend the conference you need to register by 1/18/2012. No on-site registration is accepted.
Is SIT fun?
Yes, it is! The conference in Normal celebrated its 12th anniversary – would anyone still be coming after 12 years if it wasn’t fun?!?
What topics are going to be presented?
Topics vary from year to year. We don’t know what the current topics will be until registration is complete. Consider visiting past SIT websites to see what has been presented in the past.
What will we eat?
Contents of the snack bags are typically a granola bar, chewy fruit snacks, chocolate, candy and bottled water. Lunch will be a sandwich (variety selected during registration from choice of ham, turkey or veggie), chips, cookie and bottled water.
What about peanut allergies?
We generally avoid all overt peanut items for food served at the conference. However, there is no guarantee that the food at the conference does not come in contact with peanuts in some way, shape or form along its way to our event as it is produced, packaged, processed and served. If your child has a severe peanut allergy, please fill out the conference registration form carefully and please consider sending your own (safe) food items for them (see “What Will We Eat” above for information on what we will be serving). We would be happy to refrigerate food you send with your child, if needed.
I want to present……but I’m not sure what to do!?!
Pick a technology-related topic you are familiar with or really interested in. Write out a short description of what you’d like to share with or show to your peers during a 25 minute presentation. Fill out the presenter section on the registration form with this description and your presentation title. Turn in the registration form and you’ll get more information closer to the conference about when your presentation is scheduled. If you have any special facility-based technology needs for your presentation, include that on your registration form and you’ll be contacted by a person from your conference site. If you need help selecting a topic, take a look at the 2011 Conference highlights to see pictures and a list of various presentation topics!
What do I need to know about giving my presentation?
Now that you’ve registered with a description and title for your presentation, it’s time to do the rest! Write and outline for your presentation. Do you want to use PowerPoint? Include some neat visuals in your presentation. Are these real objects you want to show or are they pictures or are they on the internet? Do you want to do hands on activity during your presentation – let us know so that we can schedule you into the right type of room?!? Practice, practice, practice! If you have handouts, make 25 copies (just in case your topic is popular!).
I can’t afford my child’s registration fee…
Please complete the conference registration form AND the conference scholarship form (on the Registration page) or complete the conference registration form AND send an email with details to info@sitconference.org (the deadline is 12 noon on January 18, 2012). We’ll get back with you…