2025 Annual Conference Schedule and Events

Before a single law is passed or a business is launched, a society must know what it stands for. In this powerful opening session, attendees will explore and define the core values that will shape every decision made during the conference society experience. Working as a collective, participants will engage in a guided values-identification process that anchors the day’s activities in shared purpose. More than a symbolic gesture, this is the moral compass of the society we are building—and a model for helping students develop ethical leadership and civic responsibility in their own communities.  

In most MicroSociety schools, student governments are thriving ecosystems led by mayors, governors, and full executive, legislative, and judicial branches. These structures offer rich opportunities for leadership and uphold the balance of power. This session honors that legacy—while taking it one step further. Attendees will explore the fundamental responsibilities of these traditional roles before being introduced to the Leadership Circle: a bold new advisory body designed to elevate civic dialogue and systems thinking. MicroSociety consultants will demonstrate how student leaders can use this model to tackle complex issues from multiple perspectives—business, government, and HEART. The Leadership Circle encourages deeper critical thinking, collaborative problem solving, and values-driven decision-making, offering a powerful framework that schools can adopt to further empower student voices and civic learning.  

With values defined and leadership in place, participants will now draft the governing document for their conference society—a constitution that outlines the rules, structures, and shared responsibilities essential to civic life. But this is more than just a structural exercise; it’s a chance to rethink the role of rights and responsibilities in shaping culture. This hands-on session offers a fresh approach to constitutional thinking by encouraging teams to embed a Bill of Rights and Obligations directly within each section of their ruling document, rather than tacking it on at the end. Through thoughtful discussion, attendees will explore how rights and responsibilities, founded in core values, shape governance across sectors. And they will decide how best to structure them, modeling the kind of purposeful self-governance students need to lead with clarity and conscience.

This culminating moment brings the constitutional process to life. Participants will step into the role of citizen delegates, reviewing and ratifying the governing documents created by their peers. It’s a fast-paced, high-impact simulation of democratic practice that reinforces the power of collective decision-making. More than a ceremonial close, this experience models how students can engage in authentic processes of consensus-building, self-governance, and constitutional thinking—skills that will serve them as civic participants today and as leaders tomorrow.

Change can be challenging—but it shouldn’t derail your MicroSociety momentum. This session is designed for school leaders, principals, coordinators, and teacher-leaders looking to overcome resistance, build trust, and unite their teams around a shared vision. We’ll explore the human side of change—mindsets, motivation, and collaboration—while offering honest conversation, practical strategies, and real-world solutions to turn obstacles into opportunities. Walk away with tools to engage your staff, strengthen leadership, and keep your MicroSociety thriving.

Step into the future of classroom innovation with 4th Terra—MicroSociety’s groundbreaking digital simulation where students design and govern their own society. In this interactive session, we’ll unveil exciting new updates to the game, including a deeper integration of real-world problem-solving, team roles for collaborative management, and an expanded Challenge Card system featuring STEM, entrepreneurial, and social-emotional learning tracks. Learn how 4th Terra empowers students to balance environmental impact, financial security, health, community, and joy as they strive to build a thriving society. Whether you’re new to MicroSociety or a returning fan, this session will equip you to bring immersive, standards-aligned learning into any classroom—no whole-school model required.

In this session, we’ll share key insights gathered from student, teacher, and community stakeholder interviews, offering an honest look at what students value about MicroSociety and the ways they believe it can grow and improve. Together, we’ll explore how these reflections are shaping the next evolution of MicroSociety, including the introduction of five new agencies designed to deepen real-world readiness, leadership, and academic connections. The session will also be a space for open dialogue; we’ll invite your ideas, questions, and wonderings as we dream both boldly and practically about what MicroSociety can become. Your voice will help ensure this next chapter is rooted in both student aspirations and the realities of teaching and learning.

Leadership is one of the most critical—yet often overlooked—skills for business owners and managers. This engaging session is designed to strengthen core management competencies through dynamic role-playing exercises. Participants will explore and practice essential leadership techniques including:

• Effective Communication: Learn how to clearly convey expectations, provide constructive feedback, and foster open dialogue.
• Positive Reinforcement: Understand the power of recognition and how to use it to build trust and encourage desired behaviors.
• Motivating Employees: Discover strategies to inspire and energize team members, increasing productivity and job satisfaction.

Whether your managers are new to leadership or looking to sharpen their skills, this session provides practical tools and insights that they can immediately apply in the workplace.

Explore how Orff Schulwerk, a dynamic process-based approach to music education, can inspire student creativity and connect directly to the concept of MicroSociety. Through the use of children’s literature and student choice, this workshop will guide participants in creating a student-led performance that fosters collaboration, leadership, and community. Attendees will experience firsthand how integrating movement, singing, and instrument play can empower students to take ownership of their learning. Join us to discover practical strategies for building a rich, student-centered music classroom.