Submit your proposal
Session proposal deadline: January 20, 2027
Poster proposal deadline: February 19, 2027
The Conference for STEM Educators Shaping the Future
We invite the STEM education community to gather, share collective knowledge and experience, and rejuvenate for the journey ahead.
We welcome submissions from across the STEM education community:
STEM education or teacher preparation faculty, staff, students, and alumni
STEM education organizations and associations
Workforce and industry partners
Policy influencers, advocates, and other stakeholders
We are particularly interested in proposals that connect to this year’s inaugural theme, STEM Educators Shaping the Future, and bring together perspectives from across the STEM education ecosystem. We are also looking for interactive sessions that stimulate discourse, encourage introspection, foster participant-centered engagement, and demonstrate effective practices and strategies.
Submit the proposal you are most excited to share with the STEM EDge community. While you may submit more than one, we prioritize accepting proposals from a wide variety of individuals and organizations.
Regular sessions are one hour, but you can also propose a 10- to 15-minute Spark Talk that would be grouped with other similarly themed talks in one session.
Session Formats
Choose the format that best supports your ideas and how to engage with conference participants.
One-Hour Sessions
Workshop
Provides participants with opportunities to gain knowledge and learn or practice skills together. Hands-on experiences and discussions are encouraged.
Interactive Presentation
Includes opportunities for attendee questions, discussion, and feedback.
Panel:
Three to four presenters in a moderated discussion, followed by questions from attendees.
Birds of a Feather Gathering:
Designed to build networks and explore ideas. Rather than givingInstead of a formal presentation, facilitators prepare questions or ideas around on a particular topic for participants to discussdiscussion.
10- to 15-Minute Talks
Spark Talk:
A short, focused presentation that includes two to five minutes for audience questions. Up to four Spark Talks with a common theme will be grouped in a one-hour session.
Session Strands
Select the strand that best aligns with your proposal.
Strand 1: Connecting STEM Education and the STEM Workforce
Strand 1 focuses on the policies, partnerships, and workforce needs shaping STEM education. Sessions may explore how schools, higher education, industry, nonprofits, and other partners can collaborate to strengthen STEM teaching and learning and prepare the future STEM workforce.
Examples: STEM educator workforce trends; policy to connect STEM education and workforce needs; development of effective partnerships; cross-sector initiatives; career-connected learning in STEM classrooms; durable skills development
Strand 2: Building Communities
Strand 2 explores the networks, partnerships, and collaborative practices that sustain and empower educators, students, and programs. Session may address how communities—across higher education, PK–12, community partners, and other stakeholders—foster connection, courage, mentorship, professional growth, and shared leadership.
Examples: building community in rural and urban spaces; crisis response and resilience; supporting student organizations; family and community engagement; strengthening connections across K–12, higher education, and community partners
Strand 3: Strengthening Pathways to Teaching
Strand 3 focuses on navigating the complex systems that shape STEM educator recruitment, preparation, and program and career retention. Sessions may address institutional processes, state requirements, leadership engagement, funding, and program operations.
Examples: working with university and college leadership; navigating requirements for urban, rural, and other settings; implementing or transforming programs; securing institutional support; developing sustainable funding models; fundraising; recruiting and retaining students; high-quality induction support
Strand 4: STEM Education Curriculum & Instruction
Strand 4 explores innovations and trends in curricular and course design, pedagogy, and instructional delivery.
Examples: reflective pedagogical and curricular approaches; implications of AI and other emerging technologies in educational spaces; computer science, data science, and engineering topics; reenvisioning classroom experiences; empowering students in the classroom; transforming STEM instruction for the future of schooling; navigating high-quality instructional materials and standardized curricula; career-connected learning
Strand 5: Research, Inquiries, and Investigations
Strand 5 highlights completed or ongoing research, collaborative studies, and inquiries that address innovation in STEM education. Sessions may showcase part or all of the research process—from identifying research questions and collecting data to analyzing results and applying findings to practice. Sessions may also include discussion of potential or upcoming research.
Examples: research design; identifying research questions; data analysis; applying findings to practice; collaborative research projects; innovations in PK–20 STEM teaching and learning
Strand 6: Supporting Preservice STEM Educators
Strand 6 sessions support preservice and new STEM teachers so they can launch their careers with confidence and build skills, connections, and strategies to thrive in the profession.
Examples: résumé and interview tips; classroom management; supporting all learners; educator well-being and sustainable teaching practices, leveraging student support structures, embracing leadership opportunities; support for the early years in the classroom
Posters
Posters provide opportunities to share research, instructional practices, program initiatives, and innovative ideas with the STEM education community.
Student Poster Competition
Student posters highlight undergraduate learning, research, and engagement in UTeach programs. Undergraduate presenters are automatically entered into the Student Poster Competition, provided both presenters are undergraduates.
Student posters can have no more than two presenters.
Research
Posters highlighting research projects conducted as part of a UTeach course.
Course Exposition
Posters exploring an essential idea or learning experience from a UTeach course. Examples include lesson plans or units, class projects, and explorations of course concepts.
Program Exposition
Posters highlighting an essential element of the UTeach program, such as student organizations, internships, portfolios, student-led recruitment, peer advising, and community spaces.
Research and Practice Posters
Research and practice posters share research findings, innovative teaching practices, program initiatives, and emerging ideas in STEM education. Presenters may include graduate students, PK–12 educators, UTeach alumni, faculty, researchers, and other STEM education professionals.
These posters may have up to four presenters.
Posters may address topics from any of the conference session strands.
Submit your proposal
Session proposal deadline: January 20, 2027
Poster proposal deadline: February 19, 2027