For parents and educators alike, the first annual New England Educational Convention will be held this weekend in Providence.

The convention, hosted by Education in Action and the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) Learning Center, will feature workshops, tutorials, children’s activities lectures and Q&A’s from over 30 exhibitors from the world of primary and secondary education.

Some of the exhibitors are Destination Imagination, the Providence Children’s Museum, Home School Now USA, Girls on the Run, the Community College of Rhode Island about dual enrollment and Exchange City.

Exchange City is one of Education in Action’s primary programs; the program allows students to learn about government and economics by role-playing in a miniature city built inside Education in Action’s facilities.

Education in Action, which began in 2008, is a Providence-based non-profit dedicated to expanding students hands-on learning opportunities.

Pamela Dennen, coordinator of the event, said, “We want to try and expose the community, parents teachers and administrators to a lot of programs that are happening across our state and present them with resources that could help improve children’s educational experience.”

She explained the convention is designed for parents and children alike, having both fun and informational activities.

She said that anyone interested in the education of children should attend.

For parents the convention is a way to find new ways to support their children or to expand their own educational views, while for teachers the convention offers a time and space to view multiple curriculum options with representatives that can answer any questions.

Dennen said, “The biggest issue we find for teachers is time and there not being enough of it to build and perfect their curriculum. At the convention there will be so many programs and options they can look over to make the best decisions for their classrooms.”

It’s an opportunity to “go straight to the source with questions,” Dennen said.

Dennen had help setting up the convention from some of the state’s home-schooled students. They will be walking around the convention helping patrons.

The students will also be participating in a Q&A panel to answer questions about home-schooling and hopefully “dispel any myths” about home-schooled students being unsocial or missing out in some way. There will also be a parent panel. These panels will be held on both days at 1 p.m.

Dennen said 3 percent of Rhode Island students are home-schooled, but more parents and students are looking into the option.

Dr. Sandra Stosky, a Common Core developer, will also be making a presentation on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. answering questions about the curriculum.

All the proceeds from the New England Education Convention will go to the STEM Learning Center, which is currently working under Education in Action, until it “can stand on its own two feet” Dennen said.

Education in Action has been a “mentor agency” while STEM develops its first programs, which are scheduled for this summer. The convention is a way to raise funds for STEM as well as get their name out there.

The convention will take place on Friday, March 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Education in Action building on 35 Swiss St. in Providence.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children. Admission price also covers all activities and workshops in the convention. For more information or to register for the event visit www.convention.education.