AISES National Conference: Call for Sessions | 2026 AISES National Conference

Call for Sessions

Join us to explore the theme Weaving Innovation at the 2026 AISES National Conference! The national conference is a unique and premier event for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professionals and students, attracting members and attendees from across the United States and Canada, and as far away as Alaska and Hawai’i. Attendees include high school and college students, educators, and professionals, including representatives from Tribal Nations, Tribal enterprises, and tribally owned businesses. The conference also brings together the LARGEST college and career fair of its kind in the U.S., serving students and professionals. Exhibitors at the College and Career Fair represent a wide range of corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, Tribes, and tribally owned businesses.

The 2026 AISES National Conference will be held October 15, 16, and 17 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, with the pre-conference STEM Activities Day for middle and high school students on October 14.

Call for Sessions

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

Sessions AISES is Specifically Seeking this Year

While we welcome any session that fits within one of our 13 tracks and/or STEM Activities Day, we are especially interested in proposals that reflect the topics listed under each track. We encourage sessions that are interactive, upbeat, and inspiring. Sessions with activities and audience participation consistently receive the highest evaluations. Panel discussions that offer multiple perspectives are encouraged, as are themed sessions that draw on contemporary pop culture (movies, music, etc.) to help contextualize content.

All sessions must fall into one of the following tracks. During submission, presenters will identify the most appropriate target audience.

Art, Architecture, and Design

Where creativity meets STEM. This track explores how art, architecture, and design intersect with science, technology, engineering, and math through innovation, research, and practice. Highlight creative approaches, design thinking, and emerging tools that expand how we build, imagine, and solve problems.

Sample session titles:

Designing with Purpose: A Hands-On Workshop at the Intersection of Art, Culture, and STEM
From Story to Structure: Interactive Design Thinking for Innovation

Biological Sciences

From molecules to ecosystems, this track welcomes sessions across the biological sciences—research, careers, and education. Share discoveries, pathways, and opportunities while emphasizing stewardship and community-driven research.

Sample session titles:

Biology in Practice: Interactive Approaches to Research, Conservation, and Community Health
Pathways in the Life Sciences: A Workshop on Research, Careers, and Opportunity

Community Building

STEM thrives in strong communities. This track focuses on connection, leadership, and collaboration among students, professionals, and partners. Sessions may address chapter development, outreach, mentorship, and programs that strengthen communities through STEM engagement.

Sample session titles:

Building Belonging: A Collaborative Workshop on Strengthening STEM Communities
From Vision to Action: Tools for Developing Chapters and Community Programs

Computer and Information Science Engineering

Power the future with code, data, and innovation. Topics include AI, cybersecurity, software engineering, and data science. Sessions may highlight technology solutions for Tribal Nations and community-based needs.

Sample session titles:

AI, Data, and Sovereignty: An Interactive Workshop on Computing Solutions
Careers in Code: A Hands-On Exploration of Computer Science Pathways

Education and Student Success

This track focuses on access, persistence, and achievement across PK–12, higher education, and workforce transitions. Topics may include culturally grounded teaching practices, transfer pathways, funding strategies, and professional development.

Sample session titles:

STEM in Action: A Practical Workshop for Educators and Mentors
From College to Career: Interactive Strategies for Supporting Student Success
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Engineering

Spanning all engineering disciplines, this track highlights research, education, and career pathways that support infrastructure, sustainability, and innovation.

Sample session titles:

Engineering for Impact: A Hands-On Workshop Addressing Infrastructure and Innovation
Designing Solutions: An Interactive Look at Engineering Pathways and Careers

Environmental Science and Sustainability

This interdisciplinary track explores climate, earth systems, and sustainability—past, present, and future. Sessions may address land, water, and sky through stewardship and resilience-based solutions.

Sample session titles:

Land, Water, and Sky: An Interactive Workshop on Environmental Solutions
Sustainability in Practice: Hands-On Approaches Grounded in Knowledge and Science

Health and Medical Sciences

Sessions in this track focus on health research, education, and careers, including community-based approaches and holistic perspectives on wellness.

Sample session titles:

Healing Through Science and Practice: An Interactive Workshop on Health Pathways
From Student to Practitioner: Hands-On Strategies for Health Careers

Knowledge Systems

This track elevates knowledge traditions, research methodologies, storytelling, and values within STEM. Sessions may focus on lived experience, community-grounded research, and integrative teaching practices.

Sample session titles:

Centering Knowledge in STEM: An Interactive Workshop on Research and Teaching Practices
Story, Science, and Sovereignty: Hands-On Approaches to Ways of Knowing

Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Includes mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, and materials science. Sessions may feature research, education, and career opportunities that strengthen participation in these fields.

Sample session titles:

From Equations to Exploration: An Interactive Workshop in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Making the Invisible Visible: Hands-On Learning in Physics and Chemistry

Professional and Workforce Development

This track supports career navigation and advancement in STEM through leadership, communication, entrepreneurship, mentoring, and workplace skills.

Sample session titles:

Thriving in STEM Careers: An Interactive Workshop on Leadership and Growth
Centering Values at Work: Hands-On Strategies for Professional Success

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Sessions examine how cultural, economic, political, and environmental systems shape communities and decision-making, emphasizing ethical and respectful research approaches.

Sample session titles:

People, Place, and Systems: An Interactive Workshop on Social and Behavioral Research
Doing Research the Right Way: Hands-On Methods for Community Engagement

STEM and Business

Focuses on entrepreneurship, business planning, market research, and innovation, including Tribal enterprises and STEM-driven economic development.

Sample session titles:

Entrepreneurship: Building STEM-Driven Enterprises
From Innovation to Impact: Launching and Growing a STEM Business

STEM Activities Day

AISES invites proposals for hands-on, interactive activities for middle and high school students and educators on Wednesday, October 14. Activities should be engaging, age-appropriate, and culturally grounded, showcasing real-world STEM applications.

Examples include:

Robotics challenges
Interactive science games
Hands-on experiments
Engineering and design challenges

Teamwork and experiential learning are strongly encouraged.

Timeline and General Information

Deadline for submission of proposals: May 15, 2026
Session confirmations provided by AISES: June 15, 2026
Required Information for Session Proposals
- Presenter’s contact information
- Presenter’s biography (BIO) of 100 words or less; written in 3rd person
- Session abstract (description) of 150 words or less
Download the National Conference PowerPoint template.

Online Submission Forms

Online submission forms must be completed by May 15, 2026, to be considered for review. Only complete session proposals will be reviewed.

Click Here for Online Submission Form

For More Information

If you have any questions or concerns, please email: conference@aises.org

Session Logistics

Sessions are scheduled for October 15, 16 and 17 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).

Session Presentation style:
Session Length: 45 minutes
Informational with some interactions

Session Workshop style:
Session Length:
1 hour and 30 minutes (maximum 6 selected)
Activity focused with minimal lecture time

Each room will be equipped with a projector, screen, presentation clicker, and Windows computer with internet access and connected to in-room sound system. Each room will also have a podium with microphone and head table with wireless microphone and chairs. Bring all presentation materials on a flash drive or another USB storage device. Presentation laptops are not equipped with CD/DVD drives.

STEM Activities Day Logistics

STEM Activities Day interactive sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, October 14.

Interactive style:
Activity Length: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Your activity will run for the entire STEM Activities Day (12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.), with breaks built-in to the four-hour time block. Your activity should be able to be repeated at least two times in a 4-hour time slot so that students are able to rotate amongst the various activities.

The STEM Activities Day room will have a microphone to make announcements. Computers, electricity, and AV set-up are available for rent.

Conference Presenter Logistics

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

Our Commitment to Safety: Read the AISES Safe Camp Policy

Call for Sessions

Call for Sessions

Timeline and General Information

Online Submission Forms

For More Information

Session Logistics

STEM Activities Day Logistics

Conference Presenter Logistics

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