NC BOLD West 2026 Day 1 McDowell High School

Do YOU have the guts? Then step up, suit up (metaphorically of course... no poncho required), and get ready for a high-energy, no-tech, slime-free session where you’ll race through a series of brain-friendly, classroom-ready physical challenges designed to fire up adult learners just like students. Inspired by the wild world of Nickelodeon’s Double Dare, this session dares you to go beyond sit-and-get and experience professional learning and classroom learning that’s as memorable as a pie to the face (but with less clean-up). You won’t just talk about active learning, you’ll do it: toss, write, move, shout, reflect, and walk away with real strategies you can use in your building tomorrow morning. Each “challenge” is rooted in research-backed learning science. Whether you’re launching a Paper Airplane, Getting Slimed, Cootie Catcher- Catch Up, every move you make is a step closer to winning the final obstacle: PD and learning that actually sticks. You in?I Double Dare You.

The purpose of school has not changed. For 2,500 years, the mission has been the same: prepare people to think, engage, and contribute to the society they live in. AI doesn't change that; it confirms it. As the jobs we prepare students for change faster than our curriculum can follow, the human development at the heart of that mission matters more than ever. This session is about leading from that mission with clarity, confidence, and optimism.

Cybersecurity is not just an IT concern, it’s a critical skill set for students in today’s digital world. This session shares standards-based strategies, student scenarios, and ready-to-use resources that educators can bring directly into K–12 classrooms.