- Key Takeaways
- What is the Google AI Educator Series Badge-a-thon?
- Why should educators attend the Badge-a-thon?
- What can you expect during the event?
- Who is the Badge-a-thon for?
- How do you join the Google Badge-a-thon?
- What this could look like in your school
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Coaching Can Be Overwhelming. Your First 90 Days Don't Have to Be.
Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to join a group of educators at Google’s Atlanta offices for an inside look at the new Google AI Educator Series. One phrase from the experience has stayed with me: snackable and stackable.
That is exactly what teachers need from AI professional learning right now. Not another marathon webinar. Not 40 slides of theory. We need one practical idea, enough time to try it, and a clear path to build on what we learn.
On Saturday, September 19, Google is bringing that idea to life with the Google AI Educator Series Badge-a-thon. Educators can drop into live, 30-minute sessions, practice useful Gemini workflows, and earn ISTE-aligned credentials along the way.
For me, the real opportunity is not collecting another badge. It is leaving each session with one move you can bring back to your classroom, coaching conversation, or next staff meeting.
Key Takeaways
- The Badge-a-thon takes place online on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
- Sessions are designed as bite-sized, 30-minute learning experiences.
- Educators can learn practical Gemini AI workflows they can bring back to a classroom, coaching conversation, or staff meeting.
- Participants can earn live, ISTE-aligned credentials during the event.
- The event is drop-in, so you can build a learning path that fits your schedule.
What is the Google AI Educator Series Badge-a-thon?
The Google AI Educator Series Badge-a-thon is a virtual learning festival built around short, live sessions for educators.
Think of it like a professional learning playlist. Instead of sitting through one long presentation, you can select a focused session, practice one workflow, earn a badge, and decide what you want to learn next.
The event builds on the free Google AI Educator Series, a collection of short AI literacy lessons developed by Google for Education with ISTE+ASCD. If you want the full background first, read my TeacherCast guide to the Google AI Educator Series and its badge-based learning model.
Why should educators attend the Badge-a-thon?
The value is not collecting another badge. It is leaving with one AI workflow you can use on Monday.
A classroom teacher might find a faster starting point for planning or differentiation. An instructional coach might discover a workflow worth modeling during a coaching cycle. A school leader might see how short, standards-aligned sessions could become part of a larger professional learning plan.
That practical focus matters. AI professional development can quickly turn into a tour of tools and features. The Badge-a-thon offers a better rhythm: learn one move, practice it, document it, and build from there.
What can you expect during the event?
The event announcement highlights three parts of the experience:
- Choose a live session. Drop into the topics that match your role, goals, or comfort level.
- Practice a Gemini workflow. Focus on a concrete way AI can support educational work rather than a broad product overview.
- Earn an ISTE-aligned credential. Document what you completed and continue stacking your learning over time.
Because each session lasts about 30 minutes, you do not need to clear your entire day. Start with one session. If the format clicks, stay for another.
Who is the Badge-a-thon for?
This event is a strong fit for classroom teachers, instructional coaches, digital learning leaders, and administrators who want a structured way to explore AI.
You do not need to arrive as an AI expert. The short-session format gives newcomers a manageable entry point while allowing experienced educators to target workflows they have not tried yet.
How do you join the Google Badge-a-thon?
Reserve your spot through the official event page. Review the latest agenda and participation details there, since session information may change as the event approaches.
Register for the Google AI Educator Series Badge-a-thon
💡 Make the day useful: Choose one problem you want AI to help you solve before you arrive. That could be planning differentiated materials, drafting clearer family communication, or organizing research. Use that problem to select your sessions.
What this could look like in your school
Invite two colleagues to attend different sessions, then schedule a 20-minute share-out the following week. Each person brings back one workflow, one caution, and one next step. That turns a Saturday event into a small professional learning library your team can use.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Google AI Educator Series Badge-a-thon?
The virtual event takes place on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
How long are the sessions?
The event announcement describes bite-sized, 30-minute sessions.
Do I have to attend the entire day?
No. The event is designed as a drop-in learning festival, so you can select sessions that fit your schedule.
What will I learn?
Sessions focus on practical Gemini AI workflows for educators and connect the learning to ISTE-aligned credentials.
Where can I learn more about the full series?
Start with my TeacherCast guide to the Google AI Educator Series or visit the official Google AI Educator Series page.
Coaching Can Be Overwhelming.
Your First 90 Days Don’t Have to Be.
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