While many attendees at the 2025 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting were settling into the rhythm of panels and presentations, Germantown Academy’s Middle School Science and Computer Science teacher Jim DiFranco found himself at the heart of the action.

A long-time AERA participant and Division C (Learning and Instruction) member, DiFranco saw the Youth Conference as a meaningful opportunity to stretch himself out of his comfort zone and grow professionally by volunteering as a group facilitator.

“The selection process to be a facilitator was more rigorous this time as they were looking for volunteers who not only had a research background, but also recent experience working with K-12 students, especially in STEM,” said DiFranco.

The goal of the Youth Conference extended beyond traditional hands-on activities. Facilitators were encouraged to guide students in reflecting on how they learn and why educational research matters.

The day centered on three interactive, transportation-themed sessions. Students rotated through experiments involving Hot Wheels cars and gravity, wind-powered boats and sail design, and a Harry Potter–inspired drone activity. DiFranco led the flight session, where students explored the four forces of flight while navigating drones through a simulated “Forbidden Forest.”

Each activity emphasized exploration, trial and error, and the scientific method, but the deeper learning took place during reflection periods. With guidance from facilitators like DiFranco, students discussed how they learn, what motivates them, and how classroom experiences connect to broader ideas in research and innovation.

The experience also reaffirmed DiFranco’s deep commitment to constructivist learning, where students build knowledge through experience, reflection, and collaboration. Outside the Youth Conference, DiFranco made the most of the professional development opportunities AERA provides. He attended sessions on emerging trends, including AI in education, robotics, and the use of localized data to deepen student engagement. 

“It’s the kind of work that makes me think critically about my own practice and future research,” DiFranco said. “I love to learn, teach, and grow and this was the perfect opportunity to do all three.”