2018 Guide to the IB Global Conference in San Diego

This week we’re headed to the IB Global Conference in San Diego, California to meet and learn from IB educators from around the world! The theme of this year’s conference is Shaping the Future, and we can’t wait to learn about the new ways the IB continuum prepares students to be global leaders.  
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With over 100 breakout sessions throughout the 4 day conference, there are going to be endless opportunities to network, learn, and grow your practice. To help you make the most of IB San Diego 2018, we’ve created this guide with the most relevant sessions for global project based learning, as well as the not-to-miss highlights of the conference.

First, make sure to download the mobile app to stay up-to-date throughout the conference. You can also access a web version of the app. It’s a good idea to make a schedule of the sessions you want to attend, and have back-up sessions highlighted in case your session is full! A general rule of thumb for this conference: come early, stay late. (No, seriously, you don’t want to leave early!)

Image source: https://visitsandiego.com

You have to be sure to participate in the service learning project We Help Two sock campaign. We Help Two provides prosthetics to amputees who cannot afford them. For every 80 pairs of socks sold, a prosthetic limb will go to an amputee in need. The goal during the conference is to provide at least 4 legs, so be sure to stop by the We Help Two booth to purchase your funky, colorful socks!

From the IB Conference Facebook page: “Socks are also one of the most-needed articles of clothing by the homeless because they are very rarely donated but almost always needed. For every 3-pair pack of funky socks sold during the conference, you’ll also receive a warm pair that you can donate to one of two local charities: San Diego Youth Services and EUNIME.”

Image source: http://www.wehelptwo.com/

You’ll also want to be sure to check out the impressive keynote speakers throughout the conference. The lineup is full of standout speakers like journalist Maria Hinojosa, Devin Vodicka from AltSchool, and poet Clint Smith.

Breakout Sessions: Global Connections
Making global connections: Contacts, tools and mindsets to connect classrooms globally
(MYP) Friday, July 27th, 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Sandra Browning, Erin Gilbert

La importancia de la exposición del PEP para ayudar a los alumnos a comprender las problemáticas actuales en el mundo
(PYP) Friday, July 27th, 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Diego Córdoba Prieto, María Fernanda Gutiérrez Mel

Moving Beyond Posters, Pictures, and Presentations
(PYP) Friday, July 27th 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Amrita Mukherjee, Denise Miller

Global IBEN: New news for current IB Educator Network members
(Cross-Programme) Saturday, July 28th 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Margie Lope, Dalit Halevi

Making international-mindedness visual, visceral, and visionary
(Leadership) Saturday, July 28th 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Mechelle Bryson, Maru Busico-Flight

The Marketing Challenge: Promoting international collaborative experiential E-learning
(DP) Saturday, July 28th 11:15 AM -12:30 PM
Kimberley McFarland

Breakout Sessions: Project-Based Learning
Impact the World: Using IB curriculum for learning transfer
(Cross-Programme) Friday, July 27th 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Julie Stern

Augmenting agency with the community project: Lessons from Los Angeles
(MYP) Saturday, July 28th 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Natalie Neal-Peters

Engaging students and families in inquiry-based instruction through home-school connection projects
(PYP) Saturday, July 28th 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Ashley Lyman, Kristin Dailida

Parts, Purpose, and Complexity
(PYP) Saturday, July 28th 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Ben Hollister

Multidisciplinary units with the Big History Project
(MYP) Sunday, July 29th  9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Thomas Stabb

Make sure you’ve got your Twitter up and running, it’s a great way to stay updated throughout the conference, connect with educators you meet, and share your learning with a wider audience! You’ll want to follow or use #IBSD2018 or #IB50, and here are some other Twitter feeds you may want to follow before you get to California:
@IBPYP
@IBMYP
@IB_DP
@IBOrganization

If you want to explore the city of San Diego, there are a ton of options for entertainment, dining, and taking in the local scene. There will be a lot to take in during this jam-packed conference. Carry snacks, keep your devices charged, and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with strangers between sessions. You’ll be learning with some of the best educators in the world, so take advantage of the downtime to connect and grow your network.

Let us know your tips or recommended sessions in a comment below! See you in San Diego!