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| 2026 Colorado Science Conference Location
CSU SPUR GPS Address: 4777 National Western Dr., Denver, CO 80216
Link to 2026 CSC Sched for browsers: |
About the Conference
The Colorado Science Conference (CSC) is a one-day conference that supports science education through high-quality professional learning in science content, instructional strategies, and current research.
The conference features over 50 presentations spanning biology, chemistry, earth and space science, physics, and environmental science, with sessions designed for educators across Early Childhood, K–12, higher education, and informal learning settings.
CSC attracts nearly 400 attendees passionate about science education, including: K–12 teachers, college instructors, informal educators, administrators, pre-service teachers, retired educators, and science education service providers. Participants are eligible to earn re-licensure credit for their time and work learning and connecting with the science leaders and resources across our beautiful state!
The CSC is an independent organization, separate from CAST, and is brought to life each year by a dedicated team of volunteers. The CSC Board meets monthly throughout the year to plan and coordinate the conference. Board membership has historically included representatives from sponsoring organizations such as the American Association of Physics Teachers – Colorado-Wyoming Section (AAPT-Co/Wyo), the Colorado Association of Science Teachers (CAST), the Colorado Biology Teachers Association (CBTA), the Colorado Chemistry Teachers’ Association (CCTA), and the Colorado Earth Science Network (CESN).
The 2026 CSC Board includes:
- Kristina Stem – CSC Chair, Exhibitors/Sponsor Co-Chair, Website/App Manager
- Amy Hill – CSC Secretary, Exhibitor Co-Chair, CSC Continuing Education Instructor
- Teresa Higgins – CSC Treasurer
- Kathryn Venzor – CSC Site Coordinator
- Amy Bekins – Registration Chair
- Zach Armstrong – Presentations and Programming Chair
- Molly Dunn - Keynote Chair
- DeLene Hoffner – Volunteer Chair
We are grateful for the many additional past and present contributors who help make CSC possible, including Matt Leach, Pete Modreski, Katie Navin, Yajaira Fuentes-Tauber, Jess Noffsinger, Autumn Rivera, Greta Glugoski-Sharp, Linda Cummings, Janelle Johnson, Elnore Grow, Theresa Hemming, Emily Meyer, Jami Seabolt, Cindy Gay, Cheryl Mosier, Robert Reinsvold, Emily Snode-Brenneman, and many MANY other volunteers who are deeply committed to supporting science education across Colorado.
If you are interested in becoming involved with CSC, please fill out the form at this link. We would love to have you on our team!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Awards Celebration Sponsor: Discovery Education
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Colorado Science Conference 2026 — Attendee FAQ
Peaks of the Past, Frontiers of the Future: 150 Years of Colorado Curiosity
Welcome to the Colorado Science Conference! We're excited you're joining us for a day of curiosity, connection, inspiration, and professional learning. Click on any topic below to learn more.
🕗 General Information
- Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
- Location: CSU Spur, Denver, Colorado
- Address: 4777 National Western Dr., Denver, CO 80216
- Check-In: Begins at 8:00 AM in the Hydro Building Lobby.
- First Sessions: 9:00 AM
- Conference Ends: Approximately 4:30 PM
- Pick up your conference badge and materials in the Hydro Building Lobby.
- Parking: Parking is available in the large lot north of the CSU Spur buildings. Parking is managed by the National Western Center and is normally $15 for the day. Thanks to the generous support of Metro Water Recovery, parking costs have been reduced for CSC attendees.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue.
🚀 Keynote Experience
- We're thrilled to welcome Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger as our 2026 CSC Keynote Speaker!
- Dottie is a Colorado native, science teacher, former NASA astronaut, and passionate advocate for STEM education.
- NEW this year! Dottie has generously agreed to present her keynote twice so everyone has the opportunity to attend.
- Keynote/Lunch A: 11:00–11:50
- Keynote/Lunch B: 12:00–12:50
- Both keynote presentations are identical. Simply attend whichever lunch/keynote works best with your schedule.
- Dottie will also have a table outside the Hydro Theater during the afternoon if you'd like to stop by and say hello.
🎟️ Power of the CSC Badge
Because of the generous support of our partners, your CSC badge gets you even more!
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🦁 Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
One complimentary adult admission
Valid November 6–8 -
🦖 Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Complimentary admission for your whole family
Valid November 7 -
🌿 Denver Botanic Gardens – York Street location
One complimentary adult admission
Valid November 7
Simply present your CSC badge at admissions.
☕ Food & Beverages
- Morning coffee and beverages will be available in the Hydro Building Lobby.
- Lunch is catered by FTM Catering.
- Please take one boxed lunch, one bag of chips, one cookie, and one beverage.
- Lunch is offered during two identical lunch/keynote sessions:
- Lunch A: 11:00–11:50
- Lunch B: 12:00–12:50
- Special lunches are available only for attendees who requested dietary accommodations during registration.
🎓 Continuing CrEDit
- Graduate CrEDit is available through Adams State University.
- To be eligible for CrEDit, attendees must:
- Attend at least 3 conference sessions
- Visit at least 5 exhibitors
- Complete the required attendance documentation
- Be sure to scan the QR codes during sessions and while visiting exhibitors. Scanning QRs also earns additional entries into the CSC door prize drawings!
- More information is available at:
www.ColoradoCAST.org/CSC-crEDit
📱 Sessions, Schedule & Exhibitors
- The complete conference schedule, maps, presenter information, and exhibitor listings are available through Sched:
https://coloradoscienceconference.sched.com - Create your own personalized conference schedule by favoriting sessions.
- Session room codes:
- H = Hydro
- V = Vida
- T = Terra
- Sessions are first-come, first-served.
- Exhibitors are located throughout all three CSU Spur buildings. We encourage you to explore! You never know what amazing idea, resource, or connection you'll discover!
🎁 Exhibitors & Door Prizes
- Visit exhibitors throughout the day! Great times include:
- 8:00–9:00 AM
- Lunch
- Between or during sessions
- Every attendee is automatically entered into the CSC door prize drawings.
- Earn additional entries by:
- Scanning QR codes at exhibitor booths
- Attending sessions and completing feedback forms
- Don't forget to vote for the Educators' Choice Exhibitor Award!
- Using the QR's at each exhibitor table, you are able to vote for the exhibitor who best captures this year's conference theme: "Peaks of the Past, Frontiers of the Future: 150 Years of Colorado Curiosity."
- The winning exhibitor will be recognized during the Awards Celebration and featured on CSC social media.
- Door prizes will be announced during the Awards Celebration.
- Must be present to win.
🏆 Awards Celebration
- Join us as we celebrate outstanding Colorado science educators, presenters, exhibitors, and partners.
- Enjoy treats, door prizes, and one last opportunity to connect with colleagues before heading home.
- Discovery Education is the generous sponsor of the 2026 CSC Awards Celebration.
- Thank you, Discovery Ed, for your continued partnership and support!
- Everyone is invited!
💬 Helpful Information
- Questions? Visit the Information Table in the Hydro Building Lobby or email ColoSciConf@gmail.com.
- Lost & Found is located at the Information Table.
- Photography is welcome! Please be respectful of presenters and fellow attendees.
- Bring:
- A notebook or device
- A charger
- A refillable water bottle
- Comfortable shoes
- Your curiosity and enthusiasm for science!