Call for Educational Sessions

• Should add educational value to the conference.  Sessions that offer value by means of education, information, or professional development to attendees will be given preference in the selection process.  Sessions will be most effective if case studies, testimonials, timely information about professional issues, best practices, and/or innovative solutions to everyday challenges are presented.
• Fits one of five strands.
• Is instructive and educational, non-commercial*, and no longer than 60 minutes. If you would like to hold an extended-length session or Pre-Conference Workshop, please indicate the requested length of time in the comments section.  
• Submitted by an individual presenter or a team/group composed of AAFCS members and/or nonmembers.
• Is peer- reviewed and evaluated for selection based on merit and value added to conference programming, association, and/or profession.
• Should utilize one of three session learning formats:   
  • Lecture
  • Panel
  • Experiential Learning

*Commercial information distribution and related presentations are limited to the Expo and exhibitor learning labs.  Organizations and companies interested in participating in the conference should call 1-800-424-8080 or email connect@aafcs.org.

Participants in the AAFCS 111th Annual Conference will be able to:

• Analyze critical issues and challenges facing individuals, families, and communities.
• Build the capacity of members to meet the evolving needs of the profession.
• Consider the implications and impact of relevant trends and innovations on the work of family and consumer sciences.
• Engage in professional networks that cultivate cooperative relationships and advance the mission of family and consumer sciences. 
• Implement effective tools, strategies, and resources which strengthen individuals, families, and communities. 
• Increase visibility of the profession at the local, state, national, and international levels.
• Network with students and professionals across content areas and practice settings.
• Propose innovative and sustainable solutions to address current challenges and future trends.
• Utilize research-based information, skills, and strategies for designing educational programs that address and support the needs of diverse audiences. 
• Validate the critical role of FCS professionals and programs providing high quality learning and educational opportunities.

This year, all Educational Sessions (formerly Concurrent Sessions) should fit one of the following five strands (formerly tracks), regardless of content area(s).  We encourage you to bring new and innovative ideas to conference--get excited and create excitement for others!

• Advocacy and Collaboration

• Leadership and Association Engagement

• Educational Tools and Resources

• Research and Scholarship

• Trends and Innovations

All Educational Sessions must fall within one of the following three learning formats: 

• Lecture:  The lecture format is a formal thematic presentation focused on a particular issue, trend, research problem, question, or topic related to the conference theme and/or strand. It gives more time for in depth exploration of the ideas presented and may be focused on a specific research, paper, or project.  The lecture format is best suited for a single expert lecture. If you have multiple experts on the same topic, please submit as a panel session format.   

• Panel: In a panel format, two or more speakers will present different aspects, perspectives or thoughts on a particular issue, trend, research problem, question, or topic related to the conference theme and/or strand.  A panel session is a group presentation of a suite of ideas, innovative methods, or discussion by experts on a topic of interest.  Each speaker will have an opportunity to present their information and when all the speakers are finished, there is typically time for discussion.

• Experiential Learning:  With the experiential learning format, participants will engage an issue, learn a new skill, or develop an action plan or other activity where hands-on learning is integral. The session may begin with explanatory or introductory information and then move on to involve the audience in some type of interactive, participatory activity.  This format is particularly well suited for demonstrations, learning new skills or procedures, debates, exhibitions and so forth that enables attendees to see and/or practice a particular skill, concept or tool.  Proposals should allow for significant involvement and contribution to the learning process from the participants.  Proposals will be selected for the conference based on the timeliness of the topic, the stated learning outcomes, interactive exercise(s), and the degree of active learning. The learning experience should excite and encourage the participants to take risks, question assumptions, and fully engage in the learning process.
  

In order to select the best program for this year's conference, you will also be asked to provide content area(s) for your proposal.

• Culinary arts, hospitality, and tourism
• Education and training
• Food science and nutrition
• Health management and wellness
• Housing and interior design
• Human/child development and family relations
• Personal and family finance
• Textiles, apparel, and retailing

To improve your chances of acceptance:

• Proposals must have been submitted online.
• Be sure the proposal content fits one of the session strands and learning formats.
• Collaborate with presenters and panelists from outside organizations.
• Use the selection criteria in the next section as a guide to writing a successful proposal.

Please note: If you submit a proposal and it is accepted, you must be able to present on ANY day of the conference (June 27th or 28th, 2020) since the schedule is subject to change.  All presenters MUST purchase a full or one-day registration—the family/guest or expo-only option is not a valid selection for presenters.

*Commercial information distribution and related presentations are limited to the Expo and exhibitor learning labs.  Organizations and companies interested in participating in the conference should call 1-800-424-8080 or email connect@aafcs.org.

• Proposal has clearly defined learning outcomes using Bloom's Taxonomy Verbs (For assistance with writing learning objectives, please refer to Bloom's Taxonomy of Thinking Skills (https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/blooms-taxonomy/).
• Proposal addressed how the presentation will meet learning outcomes
• Currency, importance, and appropriateness of the proposal to the FCS field
• Intentionally addresses how information can be applied to one of the five strands related to the conference
• Evidence of application of theoretical models, current research, and/or best practices in the field
• Proposal is written professionally:  tone, grammar, spelling, etc.

Download the 2020 scoring rubric here. 

Presenter(s)*

• Order of presenters (if multiple presenters) 
• Name 
• Contact information 
• Membership status and membership number, if applicable
• Credential(s) in family and consumer sciences and other relevant credentials or degrees
• Years of professional experience
• Place of employment

*information not provided to jurors
                                    
Session(s)

• Title (max. 150 characters) 
• Description (max. 500 characters) 
• AV and room set-up needs 
• Selected strand
• Learning format utilized
• Content area(s)
• Targeted practice setting(s)
• Learning objectives 
• Outline

This year, all presenters will be provided with an LCD Projector if it is requested. AAFCS does not provide laptop computers or any other AV equipment other than a screen, cart, and microphone if deemed necessary. You will be able to rent other equipment from the AV company with which AAFCS is contracting. The AV form will be posted in the spring--please make sure to check back!

Please contact annualconf@aafcs.org with any questions.