Edufest 2024

Edufest is the Northwest’s Premiere Summer Conference for Advanced Learning

Edufest 2024 will take place on the campus of Boise State University in Boise, Idaho and virtually on AirMeet from July 22nd to the 25th of 2024!

Register Today

Edufest 2024 offers 120 hours of Professional Development content available for 3 months! All for $399!

Watch the Edufest 2024 Kick Off Video!

Edufest 2024 Informational PDFDownload

Monday, July 22nd 2024

2024 Edufest Opening Keynote

Susan Baum

Susan Baum, Ph.D. is the Provost of the Bridges Graduate School for Cognitive Diversity in Education and the Co-Director of the 2e Center for Research and Professional Development at Bridges Academy, a school for twice exceptional students. She is the author of many publications concerning the needs of special populations of gifted students including the award-winning 3rd edition of her seminal work To Be Gifted and Learning Disabled…. Her research and experience in the field of 2e education have earned her much recognition, including the Distinguish Professional Alumni Award from the Neag School of Education and the Alexinia Baldwin Award from the National Association for Gifted Students. Susan’s consulting takes her to exotic and not so exotic places around the world. From Zurich to Zimbabwe to Zagreb; from Colombia to Haiti to Nicaragua; from Prague to Helsinki to Estonia; from Malaysia to Shanghai to Eritrea; and from Ouagadougou to Tegucigalpa to Cochabamba and Puerto Vallarta, you can find her spreading the word about twice exceptional students, talent development, differentiation, and stress management for adolescents. Susan served on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Gifted Students and is the past president and founder of the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students (AEGUS). Susan serves on the advisory boards of 2e Newsletter and Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, and The Quad Preparatory School for Twice Exceptional Learners.

Quirky?  Creative?  Complex?  Celebrating Neurodivergent  Minds

So many bright learners have brains that are wired differently resulting in extraordinary gifts and talents and perplexing challenges at the same time. Their unique kinds of brain wiring require novel approaches to help them become successful. We will explore different kinds of “brain wirings”r and explore ways to capitalize on their unique strengths and innate creative abilities to bring about purposeful growth and development.

Susan Baum

Thursday, July 25th, 2024

2024 Edufest Closing Keynote

Alan Heathcock

Alan Heathcock has won a Whiting Award, the GLCA New Writers Award, a National Magazine Award, has been awarded fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Sewanee Writers’ Conference, the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, the Lannan Foundation, and the Idaho Commission on the Arts. His story collection, VOLT, was a ‘Best Book of the Year’ selection from numerous newspapers and magazines, including GQ, Publishers Weekly, Salon, and the Chicago Tribune, was named as a New York Times Editors’ Choice, and a finalist for the Barnes and Noble Discover Prize

Educators Love Edufest!

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It

“I feel that I have been given a huge dose of motivation in the form of renewed energy and passion for teaching.  Edufest definitely has impacted my thinking and beliefs about teaching and the absolute need to differentiate and create lessons that incorporate higher level thinking skills.”
Edufest Attendee
Edufest 2016
“For the past two years that I have attended Edufest, I have come to realize how vital it is for me as an educator to keep coming to this special week. The knowledge I gain is invaluable. Nowhere else do I get exposed to current trends in education, new methods for keeping my classroom exciting for students, and information to keep me growing both as a teacher and as a person. I am looking forward to next year.”   
Edufest Attendee
Edufest 2017
“I am very impressed by the quality of presenters at Edufest.  I have not attended a conference at which presenters were so knowledgeable and demonstrated such good teaching techniques themselves. I hope to return to Edufest to inspire me to give the best and most appropriate educational opportunities to all kids.”
Edufest Attendee
Edufest 2022
“Edufest was an informative and inspiring week.  I was informed about the latest research for best practices regarding gifted students and all students.  I was informed about methods for helping reluctant learners and for encouraging students to delve into their areas of interest.  I received inspiring lessons in art, drama, questioning, motivating students who had previously displayed a lack of interest, and in working with students to help them reach their full potential. 
Edufest Attendee
Edufest 2021
“This has been a wonderful learning experience.  It was mentally challenging and increased my awareness and understanding of the gifted students in my class. While I learned a lot – there were many seminars I would have loved to go to.  I was amazed at the connections I made between sessions and presenters that reinforced my learning.  As I mentioned earlier, I love to learn and Edufest is a great opportunity for that. I really found in each session – not only ways to meet the needs of my gifted kids, but all of the kids in my class.  It reminded me that teaching is about reaching out to each of the students in my class – where they come in at and moving them to the next level.  Now I can honestly challenge my gifted students.  Thank you for the resources!”
Edufest Attendee
Edufest 2020
“I have to say that I teach in the traditional classroom.  I do not have a GT endorsement; however, I strive each day to ensure that all of my students grow in their learning and excitement of learning.  This conference allowed me to obtain resources that will help me continue to reach all students, especially those that are advanced learners but who don’t necessarily qualify under the GT parameters.  I also currently teach kindergarten and get a plethora of student levels in my classes.  Being able to tap into resources to continue to push those students who will eventually be in GT classes while they are at this early developmental stage is invaluable.  I appreciated all of the information that will continue to help me develop my students on a daily basis!”
Edufest Attendee
Edufest 2018
“All schools/educators need this training to meet the current challenges of the classroom.”
Allison
Idaho Falls
Edufest 2023