The 2026 STEAM Leadership Conference at Georgia Tech will provide an inspiring array of experiences to build and engage STEAM leaders for our 10th annual conference on February 27-28, 2026. We invite you to help lead the conversation by submitting proposals to share your innovative ideas.  

CONFERENCE THEME

STEAM Without Walls: Bridging Classrooms, Communities, and Careers

In attending the 2026 conference, you can expect to: 

• Be Empowered to design curriculum that sparks student engagement while fostering creativity, collaboration, and workplace readiness;
• Discover Opportunities to deepen 21st century skills through authentic, hands-on experiences that connect learning to life;
• Revolutionize STEAM Education by exploring innovative approaches that break down barriers between classrooms, communities, and careers; and
• Reignite Your Passion for teaching, leading, and inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers and change-makers. 

AUDIENCE

Superintendents, curriculum coordinators, principals, academic coaches, content specialists, teacher leaders, artists, after-school coordinators, informal educators, researchers, curriculum developers, policymakers, industry professionals, and like-minded individuals who want to take STEAM teaching and learning to the next level. Faculty engaged in broader impacts or other research-based efforts that include K-12 and/or higher education teaching innovations are encouraged to participate.

DEADLINES

Deadline for proposals: November 30, 2025 at 11:59 pm
Notification of acceptance: December 19, 2025

*All presenters must register for the conference.

For questions or more information, please email steamleadership@gatech.edu.

Georgia Tech Faculty interested in presenting at the SLC should send an email to Heidi Turcotte at hturcotte3@gatech.edu

SELECTION CRITERIA

Priority will be given to proposals that meet the following criteria:

• The proposal conveys novel ideas.
• The main ideas given in the session are clear and concise.
• The session is designed to meet the needs of the target audience and provides attendees with an idea they can either implement or develop from.
• The proposal connects to the conference theme, “STEAM Without Walls: Bridging Classrooms, Communities, and Careers.”
• The proposal demonstrates authentic integration of STEAM components (science, technology, engineering, art & math) with a specific emphasis on the integration of the arts. (Check out the GADOE Arts Integration in STEAM Resource Overview)

CONFERENCE TRACKS

Track 1: Transforming Classrooms — Innovative STEAM Teaching & Learning ​
This track focuses on reimagining teaching practices to make STEAM education more engaging, equitable, and future-focused. Sessions will highlight curriculum design, interdisciplinary strategies, project-based learning, assessment innovation, and integration of the arts into STEM fields. Educators, coaches, and curriculum leaders will explore how to inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in K–12 and higher education classrooms.

Track 2: Connecting Communities — Partnerships Beyond School Walls
This track emphasizes collaboration among schools, community organizations, after-school programs, cultural institutions, and industry. Presentations will showcase models of sustainable partnerships, community-based projects, and informal learning opportunities that connect students to real-world applications of STEAM. Leaders and practitioners will learn how to leverage networks, resources, and local expertise to create inclusive, community-centered learning ecosystems.

Track 3: Shaping Futures — Careers, Policy, and Broader Impacts
This track explores the broader ecosystem of STEAM education, from workforce development to policy innovation. Sessions will engage policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals in discussions about preparing learners for future careers, aligning educational initiatives with labor market needs, and scaling research-informed practices. Faculty and researchers engaged in broader impacts initiatives will share strategies for embedding STEAM in ways that advance both academic and societal goals.

SESSION TYPES

As you complete your proposal, please select the type of session that best matches your presentation. The overall conference experience includes inspiring talks, stories from the field, and this year - demo sessions. As in years past, we will be categorizing and organizing the presentations by the different tracks to make sure there are multiple opportunities to attend the different sessions. We rely upon your insight, as shared in these types of presentations that are proposed and delivered by you, to ensure a strong conference program.

Inspiring Talks – 30 minutes  
Stage-style talks that share breakthrough experiences in STEAM implementation – from innovative programs to exemplary lessons. Talks balance personal stories and reproducible strategies, leaving attendees with ideas to spark their own planning and practice. 

Stories from the Field – 30 minutes
Narrative-driven sessions highlighting a single real-world classroom or community STEAM experience. Presenters focus on lessons learned and practical insights, followed by 5-10 minutes of audience Q&A or discussion.

Virtual Demo Sessions – 30 minutes
Interactive, online demonstrations of a strategy, lesson, or digital tool in action. Presenters showcase how it works in a virtual setting and engage participants through Q&A, polls, or chat discussion to ensure practical takeaways.