Pando PR Tips No. 48

Funding Opportunity

New GenAI Funding Opportunity — Applications due Apr 18
​A new funding opportunity is open to those developing GenAI math tutoring built on specialized models. Selected ventures will receive up to $300,000, plus technical assistance, product feedback, and support.

Awards + Conferences

EdTech Breakthrough Awards — Final deadline is Mar 21
​EdTech Breakthrough Awards 7th annual program honors excellence in educational technology companies, products, and people around the world. Categories include remote learning, ongoing education & skills training, student engagement, school administration, and more. Entry is free and easy.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Sunshine for Teachers — Nominate by Apr 1
​Tropical Smoothie Cafe is celebrating teachers that spread sunshine in their classroom and make an impact in their community! The grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 summer getaway and free smoothies for a year. Up to 20 teachers will each receive a $1,000 cash award and free smoothies for a year. And all of the winners’ schools will receive a $1,000 donation and a smoothie party. Plus, the nominators of winners will receive free smoothies for a year.

Top Women in Marketing Awards — Deadline is Apr 4
​Ragan’s Top Women in Marketing Awards honors the remarkable women who are redefining marketing. Honorees will be honored in October in New York City, where the industry’s elite will gather to celebrate their achievements and connect with peers. Entry fee is $550 per submission.

CITE 2025 - Proposals Due Apr 11
​California IT In Education (CITE) has opened their call for sessions for their November 18-20 conference in Sacramento. CITE focuses on technology tools to improve teaching, learning, and administration. If you need help submitting check out CITE Conference: Submitting A Session on March 6 from 11-11:45am.

EdUp Experience PodCon — Conference on July 12
​EdUp — a first-rate higher education podcast with over 1,000 episodes — is hosting PodCon this coming July at the University of Illinois Chicago. 8:30AM to 7:00PM closing with an evening reception on the East Terrace. Learn how to podcast and meet several HE podcasters. Watch for more details at EdUp (or here in our Tips newsletter).

QS Reimagine Education Awards — Submissions close Aug 1
​The 12th Annual QS Reimagine Education Awards recognizes pioneering pedagogical approaches that enhance learning outcomes, improve employability, and advance sustainability education. $25,000 in funding to the Global winner and 25,000 in Cloud credits for the QS Reimagine Global EdTech Award winner.

Upcoming Conference Discounts

NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo — Early bird pricing ends Apr 16
​NAFSA is the world’s largest association dedicated to international education and exchange. Conference dates: May 27-30 in San Diego.

ISTE+ASCD 2025 - Early bird pricing ends May 1
​In-person and virtual discounts are available for both member and nonmembers for the June 29 - July 2 conference (in San Antonio).

EdTech Resources

AI in K12: Today’s Breakthroughs and Tomorrow’s Possibilities Recording
​Alex Sarlin (EdTech Insiders) meets with Adeel Khan of MagicSchool AI, Ben Caulfield of |= Eedi, and Bethanie Drake-Maples of Atypical AI to talk about AI in classrooms today and in the future. Will also look at the Edtech Insiders Generative AI Map which tracks 120+ AI tools across 60+ education use cases.

Fireflies.ai
​We are now Fireflies converts! This AI tool can be added to your meetings to record and then transcribe the conversation. The summaries and action items are surprisingly accurate. Try the free version (we get a credit if you click the link above).

Upcoming Events

The Chronicle of Higher Education Virtual Career Fair — Mar 19: 12pm-4pm ET

Holon IQ's Global Skills Week — Mar 24 - 28 in Washington DC
​Global Skills Week brings together skills-focused industry, colleges and universities, policy-makers, economic development, and technology leaders from around the world. The Future of Skills & Work Forum on Wednesday March 26, is the main program for Global Skills Week in 2025, connecting the global skills economy to advance ideas, initiatives and partnerships for next-generation skills, quality jobs, and economic growth.

Ragan PR's Breaking Through: 3 Steps to More Effective Executive Comms and Thought Leadership Mar 25: 2-3:30pm ET
​Over the past five years, organizations note that employees are increasingly disengaged, demotivated, and less productive. If you are seeking new ways to approach change with employees without overwhelming or discouraging them, join this Ragan PR webinar about effective thought leadership to address change fatigue.

A note about ISTELIVE+ASCD
​All eyes seem focused on ISTE this year. Co-locating with ASCD has the potential to change the demographic make up of attendees. Even so, I suspect it will remain THE primary edtech event of the year. If your company is planning to launch a product or make a major splash, don't delay especially in securing media briefings. Start sending pitches 4 weeks in advance, which might mean the messaging might not be perfect nor all the collateral developed. The good news is that a short pitch is all that is needed. Better yet, offer the media something unique and exclusive such as matching up users to particular media outlets, complete with a story angle and images. Pull those packets together in March and April so you are ready to pitch in late May!