Calling Student Presenters and Entertainers!

The Schools of the Future Conference will once again include student presentations as part of the Conference offerings. Proposals will be accepted for both in-person and pre-recorded presentations, which will be made available as part of a digital program accessible only to registered SOTF attendees. 

The purpose of student presentations is to give students the opportunity to "teach the teachers." Student proposals should address best teaching practices and should inspire thinking about learning from the student's perspective. All proposals can include up to 4 students and must include 1 teacher who will serve as an advisor and point person. 

Presentation Formats:

In-Person Presentations (45 Minutes) are 45-minutes long and will take place during the in-person Conference. They can be a more traditional, seated audience presentation, or an interactive lecture involving participant-engaged learning experiences.

In-Person Workshops (1 Hour and 50 Minutes) should offer an in-depth exploration of a topic over the course of a 1 hour and 50 minute-long session, during the in-person Conference. Workshop sessions provide for a deeper dive exploration of a particular topic, resource, or tool. They should be dynamic and engaging, where attendees are actively participating in activities and/or discussion.

Pre-Recorded Presentations (up to 1-hour long) will be recorded and submitted ahead of the Conference. They can be any length of time, but should not exceed an hour. A TedTalk format is ideal for these sessions. Pre-recorded sessions will be made available to registered attendees along with a selection of keynote and featured speaker recordings.

All accepted student presentation groups will receive complimentary registration for the day on which their presentation will occur. 

The teacher that is the primary contact for the student group is responsible for securing all necessary permissions, and adhering to their school or organization's policies and procedures for student participation in this event. 

The deadline to submit proposals is September 14, 2022 and notifications of acceptance will be sent the week of September 19. 

For more information about the SOTF Conference, please visit the HAIS SOTF Webpage.

• All accepted student groups for in-person presentations will receive complimentary registration for the day on which their presentation will occur. 



• Please note that the Conference does not cover any additional expenses related to attending or presenting at the Conference (travel expenses, equipment, supplies, etc.).

The deadline to submit a proposal is September 14, 2022, and notifications will be sent the week of September 19. We have prepared a Proposal Planning Template to help with the submission process. Please make a copy or download this document before making any changes to it. 

The Schools of the Future Conference explores a wide range of topics and ideas. Conference tracks are offered as a means of illuminating content that is of most interest to attendees. Session proposals can be submitted in one of the Conference tracks listed below but can encompass a variety of topics. For sessions that may fall under multiple tracks, please submit the proposal under the best-fitting track.



Each Conference track offers general guidelines and keywords that best represent the interests of this year's Conference. These guidelines are offered to assist and are by no means limitations.



Early Childhood Learning

Presentations should be geared towards preschool through grade 3 educators and should aim to explore the latest trends and research in the early childhood field. DHS training credit will be awarded to attendees participating in Early Childhood Learning Sessions. 

Learner Variabilities

This track will encompass topics such as differentiated and personalized learning, Universal Design for Learning, and other brain science as it applies to making learning accessible to all students.

Project and Place-Based Learning

Sessions in this track should aim to advance PBL practices by exploring the knowledge and skills needed to design, assess, and manage high quality, authentic Project/Inquiry/Problem-Based Learning. Participants are also encouraged to submit proposals that explore culturally relevant teaching and learning practices, as well as immersive learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom environment. 

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

This track will explore best practices and strategies for effective SEL implementation, while also exploring evidence and research supporting the impact of SEL.

Teaching and Learning with Technology

This track will explore resources and strategies for transforming teaching and learning through the use of educational technology, digital media, and computer science.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)

Sessions in this track should explore how we are addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in our schools. This could include examples of learning opportunities that value students’ culture and identity while addressing assumptions about inclusion, belonging, and equity.

Leading Schools of the Future (LSOTF)

This track is intended for administrators and school leadership. Proposals should address topics such as institutional transformation strategies, approaches to school renewal, and innovative initiatives. 

Learning Not Lost: Preserving and Perpetuating Best Practices 

The pandemic forced rapid innovation in education. It also challenged educators to make decisions about what curricular components should be prioritized and how best to facilitate student learning. As the pandemic nears its end, this track will serve as an opportunity to carry forward the best of what was learned during this unprecedented time. 

NEW! Career Technical Education (CTE)

This track will highlight CTE programs, courses, curriculum design, and instructional practices being implemented in K-12 schools. Proposals should showcase examples of technical skills being integrated into programs and/or classes that provide the skills, knowledge, and training necessary for students to apply that learning to future career or educational endeavors. 

Presentations (45 Minutes)

These presentations are 45-minutes long and will take place during the in-person Conference. They can be a more traditional, seated audience presentation or an interactive lecture involving participant-engaged learning experiences.

Workshops (1 Hour and 50 Minutes)

These sessions should offer an in-depth exploration of a topic over the course of a 1 hour and 50 minutes-long session, during the in-person Conference. Workshop sessions provide for a deeper dive exploration of a particular topic, resource, or tool. They should be dynamic and engaging, where attendees are actively participating in activities and/or discussion.

Pre-Recorded Presentations (up to 1-hour long)

Pre-Recorded presentations will be recorded and submitted ahead of the Conference. They can be any length of time, but should not exceed an hour. A TedTalk format is ideal for these sessions. Pre-recorded sessions will be made available to registered attendees along with a selection of keynote and featured speaker recordings.

As a reminder, be sure to provide sufficient detail including full names (not acronyms) and brief descriptions of all such elements in your proposal summary so reviewers can evaluate the relevance and usefulness of the information to attendees.

Your proposal will be evaluated for its:

• Relevance to the selected educational track and overall mission of the Conference.
• Alignment to the current teaching and learning conditions.
• Educational significance and contribution to the respective topic.
• Ease of replication and application.
• Value and relevance to SOTF participants.
• Presenter knowledge and experience.

We are seeking student entertainment for the SOTF Conference. Preference will be given to schools that have not offered entertainment at past SOTF Conferences, and selections will be determined on a first-come basis. If you are interested, please submit the student entertainment form by September 9. Please note that schools will be responsible for transportation to and from the event.

Questions? Please contact Myrna Medeiros.

Please visit the HAIS SOTF Webpage for more information about the 2022 Conference. If you have any questions, please email the SOTF team.