VRBuffalo is bringing spatial computing and immersive content creation to participants across WNY. By helping people have purposeful and thoughtful experiences with XR tech: AR (Augmented Reality), MR (Mixed Reality), and VR (Virtual Reality) technologies.

Author, Program Creator: Farm/Garden to Table Author Visits: 1. Fidget Grows a Pizza Garden - children learn about their food sources in a creative way through the art of storytelling while helping to encourage life skills and cooking activities at home. (activities depend on size of groups, but included planting, pizza making, storytelling workshops, how a plant grows, etc) 2. Fidget Screams for Ice Cream - children not only learn about their food sources through the art of storytelling, they also learn about using alternatives such as honey and fruit to sweeten their ice cream, while helping to encourage life skills and recipe making activities at home. (activities depending on size of groups, but included planting, ice cream making, story telling workshops, etc.) 3. Gal’s Apple-licious Eats - children have fun with recipe making workshops. 4.

Theatre of Youth (TOY) is WNY’s only professional theatre dedicated to serving children and their families. We offer field trip opportunities to watch professional family friendly plays and musicals. We also offer in school theatre workshops. Our Mission: Theatre of Youth Company, Inc. (TOY) stimulates the imagination, nurtures the creative spirit and enhances the education of young people by engaging them in relevant, child-centered, and professionally-produced live theatre programs. TOY believes meaningful childhood experiences in the theatre develop confidence in creative thinking skills, cultivate empathy and establish a life-long connection to the arts. TOY is a place where all families, children, cast and crew feel included, represented and inspired. We strive to reflect the community that gave rise to our theatre, both on and off the stage, and to improve access to the magic of children’s theatre and arts education for all. TOY is a safe haven where children can explore and be creative in comfort, with diversity in our productions and ensuring that our community has a voice in everything we do.

Created to serve school districts, college, libraries, and theaters across Upstate New York, CNY Jazz Management is dedicated to the educational mission of the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation, the region’s primary provider of jazz programming in concert, cabaret, scholastic and festival settings in schools and in public. Our core cultural history shows are available separately or in a group: All That Jazz, a whirlwind history of jazz; Blues Shout, a history of male blues and jazz singers of the 20th Century; Music & Musket, exploring the role of the musician in the Civil War; and Jazz On Demand, unlocking the secrets of songwriting and listening creatively! All programs are narrated and include a vocabulary/teacher’s guide. We also offer full-day or multi-day residencies by all of our large ensembles, with or without national guest soloist/teaching artists, co-designed with you to fit your program needs – clinics, jams, and grand concerts. you may preview all of our shows and watch an overview of our entire arts-in-education service at the video link on our web site. Contact us for more information about presenting any of our offerings in your school!

Get Patriotic with Democratic Values. Uncle Sam’s Comedy Jam is a crazy shindig celebrating American Freedom! The Bill of Rights and Constitution will be there, and so will many of our core democratic values. But be warned, this 40-minute show isn’t just a party. It’s a bash! Teachers and students won’t be able to stop laughing as Uncle Sam, with help from the Statue of Liberty and 16 volunteers, teaches the fundamental beliefs that unite all Americans. Kindergarteners through sixth graders learn how America became a free nation during the funniest history lesson ever. Democratic values have never been this funny! Topics in this patriotic elementary assembly include: Constitutional Government | The Importance of Rules | Separation of Powers | Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness | Symbols of Freedom | Checks and Balances | The Bill of Rights | Individual Freedoms | Shay’s Rebellion | The 13 Colonies | Common Good | Federalism | Patriotism | Equality | Justice | Declaration of Independence | Amendments and Rules | Democratic Values | The Framers | Articles of Confederation | Three Branches of Government.

Portfolio Project Grades: 4 -12 Description: The Portfolio Project is an initiative of NYSATA (New York State Art Teachers Association) that was developed in cooperation with the New York State Education Department. It is an authentic assessment tool that is based on The New York State Learning Standards and provides students with an opportunity to present portfolios of their work at regional adjudication sites. The student portfolios provide evidence of understanding and student learning in the visual arts. Feedback is available for the student, parent, school, and community. The Portfolio Project can provide an authentic source for data on student success in the visual arts. Cost: $15 per student EXAMPLE of an approved BOCES Arts in Ed project: https://sites.google.com/btboces.org/classroom-enrichment-resources/arts-in-education/nysata Student Portfolio requirements vary by grade level: Elementary Level Portfolio (Grades 4-6) · Artist’s Statement · Selection 1 Self-Portrait · Selection 2a Resource-Based Artwork · Selection 2b Resource-Based Artwork · Reflection Written Statement · Selection 3 Student Choice Artwork · Selection 4 Student Choice Artwork · Selection 5 Student Choice Artwork · Component 6 Student Portfolio Presentation Middle Level Portfolio (Grades 7-8) · Artist’s Statement · Selection 1 Self-Portrait · Selection 2a Resource-Based Artwork · Selection 2b Resource-Based Artwork · Reflection Written Statement · Selection 3 Art from Observation · Selection 4 Student Choice Artwork · Selection 5 Student Choice Artwork · Component 6 Student Portfolio Presentation Commencement Level Portfolio (Grade 9 or intro level students) · Artist’s Statement · Selection 1 Self-Portrait · Selection 2a Resource-Based Artwork · Selection 2b Resource-Based Artwork · Reflection Written Statement · Selection 3 Art from Observation · Selection 4 Process Piece · Selection 5 Student Choice Artwork · Selection 6 Student Choice Artwork · Component 7 Student Portfolio Presentation Elective Level Portfolio (Grades 10-12) · Artist’s Statement · Selection 1 Self-Portrait · Selection 2a Resource-Based Artwork · Selection 2b Resource-Based Artwork · Reflection Written Statement · Selection 3 Art from Observation · Selection 4 Process Piece · Selection 5 Exploratory Artwork · Selection 6 Exploratory Artwork · Selection 7 Exploratory Artwork · Component 8 Student Portfolio Presentation Major Sequence Level (Grades 11-12) · Artist’s Statement · Selection 1 Self-Portrait · Selection 2a Resource-Based Artwork · Selection 2b Resource-Based Artwork · Reflection Written Statement · Selection 3 Art from Observation · Selection 4 Process Piece · Selection 5 Focused Artwork · Selection 6 Focused Artwork · Selection 7 Focused Artwork · Selection 8 Focused Artwork · Component 9 Student Portfolio Presentation This program supports the following NYS Learning Standards: Visual Arts — Creating: · Investigate, Plan, Make (generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work) · Investigate, Consider, Respect, Make (organize and develop artistic ideas and work) · Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) Visual Arts — Presenting · Select, Preserve ( analyze, interpret and select artistic work for presentation) · Curate (develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation) · Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) Visual Arts — Responding · Perceive, Analyze (perceive and analyze artistic work) · Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) · Evaluate (apply criteria to evaluate artistic work) Visual Arts — Connecting · Synthesize (synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art) · Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) Categories: Art

Meet Dott! Like the Polkadot! And her talking dog Dusty, like the dust! Their mission is to foster the voice and imagination of the next generation. Dusty & Dott are committed to creating an environment that is welcoming and supportive of all identities. Through storytelling and the magic of puppetry, Dusty & Dott celebrate curiosity and encourage the values of creative play.

Sandra K. Athans is an award-winning children’s author and a published literacy specialist with vast classroom experience. Her children’s books represent a mix of playfulness, adventure, discovery, and fun! Her goal is to “glue” kids to her book’s pages with high-interest content that is full of page-turning wonder! In Tales from the Top of the World – Sandra shares nonfiction vignettes of her brother’s seven summits of Mt. Everest. In Secrets of the Sky Caves – she invites readers on scientific expeditions to remote cliff caves in Nepal. These are but two of her many works, which she shares with students in lively and engaging multi-media presentations. Sandra has written at every level, from early childhood fiction, through to award-winning middle grade nonfiction and above. She is currently working on Chasing Curious Creatures, a playful nonfiction series about unusual animals and the scientists who study them (Astra Books for Children – 2025). Sandra also continues to publish teacher and student resources within the educational market and can provide reading/writing workshops for students and/or teachers along with her author visits.

Act With Respect Always is a “pay it forward” movement stressing the importance of one’s personal character. Through presentations and continued communication through mailings and social media, Act With Respect Always hopes others will join this mission or way of life and look to improve the world around them daily. Stressing kindness, love, compassion, empathy, acceptance and gratitude, Rich strives to make everyone aware of their daily actions. He introduces to each audience the 99% (Whats Your 99} and the 1% (Accept The 1), a personal character assessment plan. With this knowledge each person can access their own character “score” every minute of every day. The 99 has now brought the concept of mindfulness to everyone, to help to constantly draw ‘reflection’ towards their actions. Introducing The Visible Project to every audience has encouraged everyone to send notes of gratitude to someone: a friend, relative, a teacher or anyone that has shown kindness to them. The hope is that everyone will create their Solid Five (Who Are Your Solid5) connections that can be cultivated. They are the people who you can go to anytime, anyplace for physical and emotional support without judgement.

Nick Scott, motivational speaker, inspires students with his journey, emphasizing the importance of starting right. His programs cultivate leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills, empowering students to make meaningful contributions. Learning outcomes focus on self-esteem, respect, and courage. Nick engages students at all levels, instilling the belief that education is key to achieving dreams. His 45-50 minute assembly promotes kindness by helping students to understand that it’s OK to be Different!

David Wong has been called a “Rock Star” in the violin world. With over 6.7 million YouTube views and 33k subscribers, he’s attracted the attention of people around the world with mentions in Time Magazine, Huffington Post, MSN, Good Morning America and features on YouTube’s Home Page. He has performed in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to Hotel Café and collaborated with artists such as The War and Treaty, Cory Wong, and Air Traffic Controller. David is an avid string clinician specializing in live looping, non-traditional techniques, and content creation. He has presented at the Ohio State University String Teachers Workshop, Suzuki Music Columbus, and over 50 public school systems throughout the United States. As a live looping specialist with his violin, David has taught and performed in many schools across the US to great acclaim. He weaves original arrangements as a "one-man-band," playing the music that students know and love from streaming, movies, and other pop cultural phenomenons. David's performances and presentations often include: -introductions to improvising -live looping explanations and demonstrations -extended techniques such as chopping (from beginner to advanced), acoustic distortion, and other non-traditional and non-classical sounds -group layering to build "acoustic backing tracks/loops" -incorporating technology into music David graduated from Amherst College in 2008 with a double major in Music and Asian Studies. He currently resides northwest of Albany, NY

We offer programs by Theresa Eckler, whose book "Limitless" is the perfect story to inspire young children around the world. Limitless is the beautiful story of a determined young girl, named Harper, who is on a mission to find her “thing.” After several failed attempts, she stumbles upon a group of children trying to fix a broken kite. Harper uses her creativity to fix not only the kite, but also inspires those around her to use their minds to help them succeed. For the last 16 years Theresa has been a local elementary teacher and has begun doing author visits at schools throughout New York State. Theresa's visits include reading her brand new children's book, sharing a beautiful presentation highlighting the writing process behind the science to make the book happen, engaging activities such as "spot the difference" where students become the editors and see if they can find the inconsistencies between the illustrative drafts and the final illustration and so much more! Theresa wrote this book as while teaching she noticed a need for books that highlight students creativity, ability to problem solve, and being proud of what makes you unique!