
AI Literacy in Education
Join us October 16-17 at the GMU Science and Technology Campus
The CS Innovators Conference, presented by CodeVA in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education, brings together educators from across the Commonwealth for two days of hands-on learning, expert-led sessions, and practical tools for integrating computer science and AI literacy into every classroom.
Who Should Attend
Virginia K–12 educators, university faculty, instructional coaches, curriculum specialists, pre-service teachers, and school and division leaders interested in computer science and AI education.


Call for Proposals Open
We invite educators, practitioners and leaders to submit proposals for the CS Innovators Conference 2026. We're looking for sessions that are practitioner-driven, hands-on, and directly useful to K-12 educators. The conference supports a range of formats designed to honor different ways of sharing and learning.
Ready to present?
Ready to present?
Share strategies, lessons, or case studies from your classroom or program. Demonstrate instructional approaches and provide practical takeaways educators can use immediately. (~50 min)
Extended hands-on learning with guided micro:bit activities, collaborative lesson design, or exploration of new tools. Participants experience learning as students before adapting for their own classrooms. (~90 min)
Short, focused sessions highlighting tools, tips, or quick classroom strategies. Ideal for showcasing a single idea, technique, or tool. (~30 min)
Present student projects, classroom initiatives, or research in a visual format. Engage participants in informal conversation about your work during the Walkabout / Playground time.
Sponsor & Innovation Alley Exhibitor
We invite you to partner with CodeVA and Virginia Department of Education to connect directly with K-12 educators eager to ignite classroom creativity through physical computing. Your partnership powers the future of computer science education, whether you are making an impact as a Sponsor by championing educator scholarships and high-visibility branding, or showcasing your hands-on tools live as an Exhibitor in Innovation Alley.
Get in Touch
For inquiries regarding partnership, sponsor investments, or Innovation Alley exhibitor packages, please reach out to:
Megan Graybill
Corporate Partnerships Lead
megangraybill@codevirginia.org
Join Innovation Alley
Lock in your space to showcase hands-on tools live in our interactive, gamified learning environment.
Secure your spot using the direct payment portal below to instantly select your package.
Make an Investment
Secure your spot using the direct payment portal below to instantly lock in your package.
Anchor key ecosystem tracks, power vital activations, and secure
high-visibility branding.
Power an Activation
Choose a $250–$2,000 activation, standalone or as a sponsorship add-on.
Elevate the experience, create meaningful connections, and build community.
Meet our Partners!
Our valued partners and CS Innovators Conference Innovation Alley leaders of learning are prepared for the 2nd annual gamified Code and Conquer Challenge to extend your exploration beyond the sessions and into our untraditional competitive hands-on CS & AI integration and application experience. Click their logos to find out more and be a step ahead of the competitiion!
What is Innovation Alley?
AI Quest turns Innovation Alley into an interactive game of discovery. Activate your quest by taking on AI challenges led by our partners. Complete each level to unlock prizes from the Prize Booth, with challenges growing in depth and difficulty and rewards getting bigger and better along the way. Explore. Learn. Level up!
Thank you Prize Booth Contributors!
Thank you for your kind donation to the AI Quest prize booth, helping to build community, deepen learning and celebrate educators!
Want to Donate?
Ready to present?
Conference Hotel Block
The link(s) below will take you directly to room blocks at some of the hotels near the venue - providing a guaranteed event rate if booked by the dates listed below (while supplies last). If you contact a hotel directly, mention "CS Innovators Conference" or "CSI" when booking to access the conference rate.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Manassas - $110/night (book by October 2, 2026)
Conference Agenda


Keynote Speaker
Dr. Jered Borup
Keynote Topic:
Teaching and Learning with GenAI: Pitfalls, Promise, and Practice
Generative AI brings exciting opportunities and new challenges for teaching and learning. in this keynote we will examine the pitfalls and promise of AI in education, exploring how AI can either undermine learning or serve as a powerful partner in helping students to engage with their hands, heads, and hearts. We will consider how educators can move towards intentionally to using GenAI to create more engaging and meaningful learning experiences.
Dr. Jered Borup is a Professor in George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development’s Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning program. He also serves as an Associate Director of George Mason’s Global Online Teacher Education Center. A third-generation educator, he has over 20 years of teaching experience, including six years as a junior high school social studies teacher. His work focuses on preparing teachers to design and facilitate supportive and engaging digital learning environments, and his research examines the support structures learners need to fully engage in online and blended education.

Post-Conference Learning Opportunities
hosted by our valued Partners
Explore flexible, affordable online degree programs at American College of Education and take the next step toward your goals.

A fun, family-friendly science event featuring spooky experiments, hands-on activities, and mad-science-inspired entertainment.