Last month we hosted PLTW MasterMinds: A PLTW Master Teacher Conference in Indianapolis.
This three-day conference provided professional development, fostered meaningful connections, and celebrated Master Teachers’ dedication to education.
Here’s a look at some key highlights from the event:
Opening Keynote with Rohit Bhargava
Rohit Bhargava, founder of Non-Obvious Company, kicked off MasterMinds by identifying five trends shaping the future of education. For the past decade, Rohit Bhargava has been on the front lines of the future interviewing the instigators shaping the future and publishing one of the most popular trend research reports in the world.
Rohit’s insights and non-obvious thinking method entertained and challenged Master Teachers to think differently, which set the stage for transformative conversations throughout the weekend.
Opening Reception Dinner: Superheroes in Action
After an afternoon full of Master Teacher-specific education, the Opening Reception celebrated Master Teachers for the superheroes they are. The evening featured arcade games, multiple food stations, and a live DJ to complement an LED dance floor. Guests captured memories at the photo booth and connected with fellow educators in a setting designed for celebration. It was the perfect kickoff to a weekend of learning and collaboration.
General Session on PLTW Now and What’s Next
PLTW President and CEO, Dr. David Dimmett and PLTW Chief Product Officer, Joel Kupperstein took the general session stage on day two to share strategy highlights, feature curriculum updates and release dates, and answer submitted questions from Master Teachers.
Previewing PLTW’s Advanced Manufacturing Curriculum
Attendees got an exclusive first look at PLTW’s upcoming Advanced Manufacturing course, launching in Fall 2026. This hands-on alpha testing session gave Master Teachers the chance to explore key units through interactive activities, peer collaboration, and guided walkthroughs—all while providing valuable feedback. For more information on this curriculum, reach out to your PLTW representative or visit our Advanced Manufacturing course page.
National and Community Impact Awards
We celebrated the achievements of our National and Community Impact Awards winners who were in attendance, recognizing their outstanding contributions to education and community engagement. During the event, we had the opportunity to learn more about the innovative projects from our PLTW Community Impact Award recipients as we prepare to open the next round of award applications in January 2026.
The energy and ideas shared at MasterMinds remind us why the PLTW community is so powerful. Together, we’re driving meaningful change in classrooms and beyond.
One Master Teacher shared, “When you find the thing that you’re really passionate about, it makes life better.”
MasterMinds reinforced what we already know: when passionate educators come together, incredible things happen. Thank you to every Master Teacher who joined us in Indianapolis for leading the way in shaping the future of education and equipping students with professional skills they’ll need to succeed in college, the workforce, or both.
