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.
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.
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Upcoming Unconferences
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.
Past UnConferences
2026
UnConference: Kindergarten Transition
UnConference: Out-of-School Time
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.
