Through the generous support of PNC Grow Up Great, Trying Together is proud to present a series of UnConferences as part of its leadership and professional development courses.

 

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About

The UnConference is an innovative, hands-on professional development training format where a deeper experience is provided around a particular theme. Local and national speakers are invited to present and participants are encouraged to engage hands-on in the workshops.

The day concludes with a roundtable discussion on how to apply these experiences and ideas in the early childhood environment as well as share ideas on how to partner with new colleagues.

Would you like to hear about future UnConferences? Sign up to receive emails from us.

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Upcoming Unconferences

UnConference: Out-of-School Time

Trying Together, in partnership with APOST, will host UnConference: Out-of-School Time on Thursday, June 11 at the Boys & Girls Club of Western PA.

The UnConference is intended to be a collaborative, interactive approach to high-quality summer programming for school-age children. The audience will be educators, staff, and administrators working with children in summer programs; engaged parents and caregivers; and early childhood education and out-of-school-time advocates.

There will also be an add-on option for those interested in taking part in a First Aid/CPR training on June 10.

UnConference: Ordinary Moments, Meaningful Connections

Trying Together, in partnership with Hosanna House, will host UnConference: Ordinary Moments, Meaningful Connections on October 12, 2026 at Hosanna House (807 Wallace Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221).

The foundation of quality in early learning settings begins with the everyday interactions that we share with one another. These simple and ordinary moments that take place during daily routines form the very foundation of learning and connection for young children and adults alike. Focusing on the belief that meaningful learning happens within everyday moments, this UnConference highlights how connection, reciprocity, inclusion, and opportunities for growth emerge through adult-child interactions. Participants will experience interactive presentations that offer practical strategies for fostering inclusive environments, strengthening relationships, and creating opportunities for mutual growth. This UnConference is designed to support educators in cultivating classrooms where every child—and every adult—feels seen, heard, and valued.

Those interested in presenting a workshop at this UnConference can submit proposals by June 29. Learn more or download the submission form.

 

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Past UnConferences

2026

UnConference: Kindergarten Transition

2025

UnConference: From Representation to Inclusion, October 4

UnConference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time Programs, June 5

UnConference: Navigating Early Intervention Partnerships, March 8

2024

Beyond the Playground: Advancing Racial Equity in Play, October 14

UnConference: Launching School Age Summer Programming, June 6

UnConference: Mental Health in Early Childhood Education, February 19

2023

UnConference: Race Equity in Practice, February 11

2022

UnConference: Creating a Safe Place with Trauma-Informed Care, February 8–18

2021

Exceptional Care with a Team Approach to Inclusion, January 19–29

2020

Virtual UnConference: Caring in a “New Normal”, September 14–23

Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’, May 26

2019

The Business of Child Care, October 19

Young Learner’s Guide to Tech, March 30

2018

P.R.I.D.E. Speaker Series – Reimagining Early Childhood: Being Intentional About Race and Young Children, September 27

Being Intentional about Race and Young Children, September 29

Play for Change, October 30

Destination Moon, November 3

2017

Maker Tots, May 20 (part of Remake Learning Days)

Mindfulness, August 10

Get Dirty!, September 22

Friedberg-Segel Early Literacy featuring Hervé Tullet, October 14

2016

An unprecedented six UnConferences were held, including:

Total Leadership, March 9

Maker Tots, May 14

Children+Arts 2.0

Get Dirty!

Fred Rogers—The Friend, Teacher, Advocate

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

2015

The UnConference: Children+Arts was presented with the Reggio Emilia Pittsburgh Initiative, NAREA and the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh. In addition to a private tour of the “Wonder of Learning” exhibit presented by NAREA, this UnConference explored the importance of arts in early childhood education and highlighted its evolution of innovation through the lens of Reggio Emilia’s philosophy.

Keynote speaker was Reggio Emilia expert Jennifer Strange.

Workshop presenters included: Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Attack Theatre, Gemini Theater, Pittsburgh Opera, Carnegie Museum of Art and the Andy Warhol Museum.

2013

The inaugural UnConference, Game On! was presented in collaboration with the CREATE Lab and Google Pittsburgh.

This UnConference focused on how to embrace and appropriately use old and new technology with young children. In addition, Trying Together presented a “hackathon,” during which app ideas presented by teachers were brought to life through a hackathon team of programmers, designers, and teachers.

Keynote speaker was Illah Nourbakhsh from CREATE Lab.

Workshop presenters included: Google Pittsburgh, TechShop, Dream Flight Adventures at Shaler Elementary, Pittsburgh Center for Creative ReUse, Schell Games, MAYA Design, Education Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University, CREATE Lab, MakeShop at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Etcetera Edutainment and Assemble.