Honor the Past. Be the Future.

2018 AISES National Conference Call for Session Proposals

The 2018 AISES National Conference is a unique, three-day event focusing on educational, professional, and workforce development for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, First Nations (Canada), Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other Indigenous peoples of North America. Attendees include Native high school and college students, educators, and professionals as well as representatives from Tribal Nations, Tribal enterprises, and Native owned businesses. The conference also includes the LARGEST college and career fair in the U.S. for Native students and professionals! Exhibitors at the College and Career fair represent a diverse range of corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, Tribes, and Native owned businesses.

Over 1,900 people attended the 2017 AISES National Conference in Denver, Colorado and we anticipate to surpass that number in 2018. Spanning three-days, the 2017 conference boasted over 80 sessions.

The 2018 AISES National Conference will be held October 4, 5, and 6 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with pre-conference activities, including the second annual Native Links Golf Classic, and Boeing STEM Day for Native pre-college school students, on October 3.

Call for Session Proposals

AISES has opened the call for session proposals and encourages a diverse array of session presenters and STEM topics! If you have not yet presented at an AISES conference, we encourage you to submit a session proposal!

All sessions must fall into one of the following tracks:

Pre-College: target audience includes high school juniors and seniors
College: target audience includes undergraduate and graduate students
Professional: target audience includes professionals and AISES partners
Educator: target audience includes K-12 educators
STEM & Business: target audience includes students and professionals
Research: illuminates discoveries and tools in STEM fields. To submit a research presentation please visit: http://conference.aises.org/agenda/research

Track Descriptions

Pre-College: Sessions in the pre-college track are meant to raise awareness and inspire high school students to pursue college majors and eventually careers in STEM. Sessions should aim to expose students to various STEM opportunities, programs, and careers, and support students in discovering, pursuing, and sustaining their interest in STEM as they prepare for their college careers and beyond.
College: Sessions in the college track are meant to increase access to resources and success in STEM degree programs for Native college students. Topics could range from mentorship to preparing for graduate school and beyond.
Professional: Sessions in the professional track are meant to support Native professionals as they advance their careers in STEM. Topics could range from professional development, career opportunities, networking and opportunities to mentor and support Native students in STEM.
Educator: The purpose of the educator track is to provide content specifically for K-12 educators and support staff working primarily with Native students. Topics could range from securing teaching positions in Indian Country, culturally relevant curriculum, and supporting extra-curricular STEM activities for Native students.
STEM & Business: AISES created a STEM & Business session track at the 2016 National Conference, featuring such topics as STEM Entrepreneurship, Developing your STEM Business Idea, STEM Business Planning, and Access to Capital for STEM Business Development. STEM & Business sessions are meant to explore the intersection of STEM and business and support students, professionals, and Tribal Nations interested in developing STEM focused businesses, supporting entrepreneurship, or building STEM infrastructure within Tribal Nations.
Research: The research track support innovation, inquiry and the use of the scientific method that includes all research presentations. To become a research presenter, please click here: http://conference.aises.org/agenda/research
Boeing STEM Day: AISES is also soliciting proposals for activities presented during Boeing STEM Day on Wednesday, October 3rd. STEM activities should be hands-on and engaging for AISES pre-college (primarily middle school) students and educators. Examples of activities include:
- Robotics demonstrations
- Jeopardy style science bowl
- Simple science experiments
- Engineering and design projects

Sessions AISES is Specifically Seeking this Year:

While we encourage you to propose any session that fits well within one of our six tracks and/or for Boeing STEM Day, this year we are also specifically seeking session proposals that address the topics listed below. We encourage sessions that are interactive, upbeat, and inspiring. Sessions that draw the largest attendance and best evaluations are those that include activities and audience participation. We have also found that attendees like “themed” sessions that drawn on contemporary pop culture (movies, music, etc.) to contextualize the content.

Sessions we are specifically seeking this year:

Pre-College

Financial Management: Preparing for College (Managing students loans, expenses, Applying for federal financial aid and scholarships, etc.)
Yes! Computer Science is for You! (Encouraging students to pursue college degrees/careers in CS)
Yes! Engineering is for You! (Encouraging students to pursue college degrees/careers in engineering)
Applying to College (Tips / How-To when applying to college)
Prepare for the College and Career Fair (How to prepare for the AISES college and career fair)
Science of Music (Sound wave energy, musical instrument design, acoustic resonance, electronic amplification, etc.)

College

Financial Management (Applying for scholarships, Managing student loans, expenses, preparing to enter the workforce)
How to Ace Your Job Interview (Job interview preparation)
Should You go to Graduate School? (Information about graduate school / applying to graduate school)
Faculty Careers in STEM (Information about opportunities / navigating pathways to faculty careers)
Preparing for the Career Fair (How to prepare for the Career Fair / meeting potential employers)
Evaluating Job Offers (How does one evaluate and/or negotiate a job offer)
Transitioning from Campus to the Workforce (Help transitioning from student to professional such as interview tips, presenting your best self, etc.)
Leadership Development (Personal and professional leadership development)

Professional

Executive Mentoring (How to obtain or provide mentorship)
Managing Stress/Avoiding Burnout (Tips to help professionals handle stress and burn-out in their careers)
Career Planning (Help professionals chart or plan their career path)
Financial and Investment Management (How to manage finances or investments)
Creating and Supporting Effective Teams
Leadership Development

Educator

Native Education Policy (K-12 and/or Higher Education)
Effective Models for Supporting STEM in K-12
Resources for STEM Educators

STEM and Business

Patent and Trademark (process, application, time considerations)
Entrepreneurship (Access to Capital and/or Developing a Business Model)
Utilizing / Supporting STEM in Tribal Communities
Innovative Tribal or Native Owned Businesses

Session Logistics

Boeing STEM Day presentations are scheduled for Wednesday, October 3rd. Sessions will take place October 4, 5 and 6 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday).
All sessions are 50 minutes.
Each session room will be equipped with a computer with internet access, projector, screen, and microphone, and will be set with a head table and podium.
Presenters are invited to submit multiple proposals. For those that have presented at an AISES conference before, please propose a new session. Preference will be given to interactive, engaging, and innovative sessions.

Timeline

Deadline for submission of proposals: June 30, 2018
Notification of acceptance begins: July 17, 2018

Conference Logistics for Presenters

Conference presenters are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and related conference expenses. Each accepted session will receive up to two full conference registrations discounted by 50%, regardless of how many presenters are participating in the session. Complimentary registration codes will be provided after sessions are selected and presenters are notified. All refunds are subject to the Cancellation and Refund Policy.