2026 JASON NATIONAL CONFERENCE

June 29 - July 1, 2026

Lansdowne Resort and Spa | Leesburg, VA

Liminal Literacy In A Digital World

We live in a moment of profound transition. Technology is reshaping not only how students think and learn, but how entire communities function, connect, and grow. The digital world is not some distant frontier; it is the landscape our students already inhabit, and the one they will help define. Preparing them to navigate it with confidence, curiosity, and critical skill is not just an educational imperative; it is a civic one.

Thriving communities do not happen by accident. They are built by people who understand the systems around them and who have the tools to participate in, adapt to, and shape those systems. Economic vitality is part of that picture, but it is a means, not an end. The real goal is communities where people can flourish; and that goal begins in classrooms, with students who are seen as the future leaders, workers, neighbors, and changemakers they are becoming.

JASON Learning sits at the intersection of these forces: bridging schools and communities, connecting learning to economic opportunity, and preparing students to move through a rapidly changing world with purpose and literacy. The 2026 National Conference, Liminal Literacy in a Digital World, takes up that challenge directly; exploring what it means to educate young people not just for the world as it is, but for the world they will inherit and build.

Programming

June 29: Technology

Day One sets the tone for the conference by diving into the technologies reshaping education and the economy. Through a series of keynote presentations and panel discussions, attendees will hear from entrepreneurs, educators, and industry leaders on the state of AI in education, the rise of credentialing and certification pathways, and what it means to prepare students for a world increasingly defined by data centers, digital infrastructure, and automation. Breakout sessions offer hands-on engagement with JASON curriculum, CyberWarrior challenges, and tools like the JASON AI Course, giving participants a chance to move from big ideas to classroom practice. The day closes with an exciting announcement about the next Argonaut Expedition and a keynote on bridging technology and community, grounding the day’s conversations in the people and places education ultimately serves.

June 30: Community

Day Two turns the lens outward, exploring how schools, organizations, and communities can grow stronger together. Keynote presentations and panel discussions highlight the power of community education from early childhood through workforce development, with voices from school districts, civic organizations, and community engagement initiatives across the country. Breakout sessions dig into topics like JASON’s civics curriculum, regenerative soil and environmental stewardship, project-based learning, and strategies for creating lasting community connections. From recycling contests to data center certifications to partnerships with organizations like Volunteers of America, Day Two makes the case that education does not end at the schoolhouse door and that thriving students and thriving communities are inseparable goals.

July 1: Project-Based Learning

Day Three is a working day, designed for educators who are ready to roll up their sleeves. Half-day and full-day workshops invite participants to explore the practical frontiers of teaching in a digital world, from building student data literacy and navigating AI in the classroom, to examining their own identity as educators at a moment of profound change. Those pursuing a deeper leadership role can spend the full day on the path to becoming a JASON District Coach, a position that sits squarely at the intersection of classroom practice and district-wide impact. Those attending a half-day workshop may attend an optional tour of a Virginia data center, offering a rare and concrete glimpse into the physical infrastructure behind the digital world students inhabit every day.

Registration Information Coming Soon!