2026 UTeach STEM Educators Conference Call for Proposals
Please email us at conference@uteach.utexas.edu if you have questions.
Submit your proposal
Session proposal deadline: February 4, 2026
Poster proposal deadline: February 27, 2026
Power and Purpose: Defining the Future of STEM Education
This is an opportune moment to take decisive actions! The programs and people in the UTeach network are leaders in a national community working to increase the quality of and access to STEM education, and we continue to expand, innovate, and navigate new spaces.
We extend an invitation to come together, pool our collective knowledge and experience, and rejuvenate ourselves for the journey ahead. We welcome submissions from various stakeholders, including UTeach program faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as professionals in higher education and K–12 institutions and organizations involved in STEM education.
We are particularly interested in interactive sessions that stimulate discourse, encourage introspection, foster participant-centered engagement, and demonstrate effective practices and strategies.
All sessions, regardless of format, are one hour long.
Session Strands
Strand 1: Enhancing Curriculum and Instruction
Sessions related to innovation in curricular and course design, instructional delivery, and exploration of trends in STEM K–12 and higher education curriculum and instruction. Sessions may also address variations in courses and sequencing from an operational perspective, as well as empowering programs to address current and future needs for STEM teacher development.
Examples: reflective pedagogical and curricular approaches, implications of AI in educational spaces, connecting STEM education to workforce, computer science and engineering topics, reenvisioning classroom experiences, empowering students in the classroom, transforming STEM instruction for the future of schooling
Strand 2: Building Powerful Communities
Sessions exploring the networks, partnerships, and collaborative practices that sustain and empower educators, students, and programs. Sessions in this strand may include how communities (within and beyond UTeach programs) foster connection, courage, mentorship, professional growth, and shared leadership.
Examples: building community in UTeach programs, crisis response and resilience, supporting UTeach student organizations, developing mentor teachers, durable skills, addressing teacher and student burnout, family engagement
Strand 3: Enhancing UTeach Operations
Sessions concentrating on UTeach program operational frameworks, university support, funding, and student recruitment and support.
Examples: UTeach program implementation, operational transformations, recruitment and student support strategies, development or fundraising activities
Strand 4: Research, Inquiries, and Investigations
Sessions highlighting completed or ongoing research, collaborative studies, and inquiries that address innovation in STEM education. Sessions in this strand 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: data-driven research and results, research design, identifying research questions, data analysis, applying findings to practice, collaborative research projects, research done to enhance UTeach programs, innovations in K–12 and higher education STEM teaching and learning
Strand 5: Empowering Preservice Teachers
Practical sessions for preservice teachers in UTeach programs.
Examples: navigating courses and the K–12 classroom, résumé and interview tips, classroom management, supporting all learners in the classroom, managing self-care, leveraging student support structures, embracing leadership opportunities, surviving the first year in the classroom
Posters
Anyone can submit a poster proposal. Posters can have only two presenters.
Students who submit posters are automatically entered into the student poster contest. Student posters can have no more than two presenters. and are eligible for the contest only if both presenters are undergraduates.
Find poster competition criteria and other poster information here.
Student Poster Strands
Strand 1: Research: Posters focused on a research project conducted for a UTeach course.
Strand 2: Course Exposition: Posters focused on an essential idea of a UTeach course. Examples: lesson plans or units, class projects, explorations of course concepts
Strand 3: Program Exposition: Posters focused on an essential element of the UTeach program. Examples: student organizations, internships, portfolios, student-led recruitment, peer advising, community space
Non-Student Posters
Non-student posters will not be added to the student poster contest. Presenters may include graduate students, inservice K–12 teachers, alumni, or other participant categories (e.g., UTeach program faculty, lab PI, mentors, etc.).
Non-student posters can fall into any of categories from the session strands. These posters may have more than two presenters; email us after you submit your proposal with the additional names.
Submit your proposal
Session proposal deadline: February 4, 2026
Poster proposal deadline: February 27, 2026
Session Formats
Workshop: Provides participants the opportunity to gain knowledge and learn (and/or practice) skills together. Hands-on experiences and discussions encouraged.
Interactive Presentation: Includes opportunities for attendee questions, discussion, and feedback.
Birds of a Feather Gathering: Designed to build networks and explore ideas. Rather than giving a formal presentation, facilitators will prepare questions or ideas around a particular topic for participants to discuss.
Panel: Three to four presenters in a moderated discussion, followed by questions from attendees.
Submit your proposal
Session proposal deadline: February 4, 2026
Poster proposal deadline: February 27, 2026
Proposal Requirements
Please have this information ready before you begin your proposal.
If you are proposing a session:
- Name, contact information, title, and organization for each presenter (up to 6)
- Session title, strand, and format
- Session description (500 characters)
- Session engagement (500 characters)
- Contribution to the community (500 characters)
- Primary audience (higher ed, K–12, or preservice teachers)
- Audience and strand alignment (500 characters)
If you are proposing a poster:
- Name, contact information, title, and organization for each presenter (up to 2)
- Poster title and strand
- Poster description (500 characters)