2024 STEM Innovation Forum

Learning Session Proposals

We are currently seeking learning sessions proposals for The 2024 STEM Innovation Forum:  Illuminating Possibilities - Exploring STEM Workforce Trends and Insights for Today and Tomorrow.

Learning Sessions ensure we have a variety of strategies, approaches and organizations represented at the Forum. These were integrated into the 2023 Forum with great success.  Learning sessions provide an opportunity for you to share your work with a national audience of STEM stakeholders.  

If you have an example of a program, resource, or collaboration that is effectively transforming the STEM workforce, apply using the button below to propose a learning session. Preference will be given to submissions that feature collaborations between various organizations. Session Proposals are due August 16, 2024. 

*New for 2024! Two session types will be offered this year to encourage dialogue and interaction:

  • Breakout Sessions - (40 minutes) Conference breakout sessions feature a 30 minute panel or presentation followed by a question and answer session.
  • Facilitated Discussions - (80 minute sessions) that combine a presentation with a facilitated discussion.

Audience

The expected audience for the STEM Innovation Forum will include approximately 250 thought-leaders from across the STEM education and workforce development ecosystem. Leaders from industry, government, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and STEM networks will have unmatched opportunities to collaborate with like-minded changemakers across boardrooms, classrooms, and communities to advance a diverse, robust and sustainable STEM workforce.

Presenting Organizations

STEMconnector and STEMx are in their third year of producing the STEM Innovation Forum.  This event convenes leaders from across the country with a shared commitment to advancing educational outcomes that will drive the innovation required to overcome society’s greatest shared challenges. 

Objectives

Forum participants will:

- Learn about trends in STEM education and workforce development, with an emphasis on broadening participation in STEM.

- Discover high-impact strategies, programs and solutions that are driving change in STEM workforce development across a variety of industries and states

- Connect with thought-leaders in the STEM ecosystem and explore possibilities for collaboration

- Understand how emerging technologies are changing the world and the associated implications on the current and future workforce 

STEM Innovation Forum Content

The agenda for the STEM Innovation Forum includes a mix of plenary sessions (keynotes and panel discussions) to engage the entire audience, as well as targeted learning sessions centered on one of the following themes:  

  • STEM Career Pathways - Broadening Access

  • Public-private partnerships to advance STEM and CTE

  • Navigating Changing Attitudes Toward Inclusive STEM Learning Environments and Workplaces

  • The Role of AI in Learning Environments Today and in the Future

  • Scaling Evidence-Based Practices to Advance STEM Outcomes

  • Broadening access to STEM Work-Based Learning Experiences    



Learning Session Proposal FAQs

What type of session should I propose - Learning Session or Facilitated Discussion?
This largely depends on what your goals are. The longer format session enables you to lead a facilitated discussion that engages the participants beyond a question and answer session. Proposals for longer format sessions should describe how they will engage participants in a productive discussion that is a safe place for respectful discussion. Conversely, the shorter sessions provide a forum that enables presenters to share ideas and innovations in a more concise format.
What types of AV will be available for my presentation?
The learning sessions and facilitated discussion sessions will take place in breakout rooms located in the Student Union at UNLV. A/V will be provided and will include: projector with screen and audio. HDMI, Mini DisplayPort (Mac), & VGA Connections will also be made available for easy connection of presenters own computer.
If my proposal is accepted, what happens next?
We will notify participants of the status of their proposal on or by Sept. 1st via email. Conference organizers will be in contact with accepted proposal leads about conference logistics in early September. Proposal acceptance includes 1 free registration - the promo code will be included in the acceptance email sent on Sept. 1.
How many people will be in my session if it is accepted?
As sessions will be open, it is impossible to say exactly how many conference participants will attend any session. From our experience, popular sessions are compelling with broad appeal and are marketed in advance of the conference via social media to increase visibility.
If I have questions about submitting my proposal, who do I contact?
Please contact Kylie.Messier@STEMconnector.com or Heather Sherman at sherman@battelle.org.