2026 Schools of
the Future
Conference

NOW OPEN: 2026 Schools of the Future Call for Student Proposals

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 four students and must include one teacher who will serve as an advisor and point person.

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

The deadline to submit proposals is Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 12:00PM HST and notifications of acceptance will be sent by Friday, September 4, 2026.

Presenter Discounts

Student presenters (6-12th graders) will not be charged a registration fee. We ask that you please adhere to the maximum of four (4) students per session.

The primary contact or teacher responsible for the student group will receive a complimentary 1-day ticket to attend the Conference on the day of their presentation.

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

Submitting a Proposal

The deadline to submit a proposal is September 1, 2026 at 12:00PM HST and notifications will be sent by September 4, 2026. We have prepared a Proposal Planning Template to help with the submission process. Please make a copy or download the planning template document before making any changes to it.

Conference Tracks:

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 in this track should be designed for educators of preschool through grade 3, focusing on the latest trends and research in early childhood education. Presentations should combine practical insights and innovative strategies for child development and can include topics like: emergent literacy, and play-based learning, inclusive education and technology integration in early learning environments.

Cognitive Diversity/Learner Variabilities
TThis track focuses on embracing cognitive diversity, offering a deep dive into learning differences, differentiated and personalized learning approaches, and Universal Design for Learning principles. It aims to equip educators with strategies and insights into brain science that enhance learning accessibility for all students. Presentations might explore innovative methods to cater to diverse learning needs, ensuring every student's unique learning style is acknowledged and supported in educational environments.

Project and Place-Based Learning (PBL)
Sessions in this track should aim to advance PBL practices by exploring the knowledge and skills needed to create, assess, and manage high-quality, authentic Project/Inquiry/Problem-Based Learning. Attendees will explore innovative PBL methods and strategies to deepen student engagement and foster real-world connections. This track is ideal for educators seeking to enrich their curriculum with dynamic, experiential learning opportunities.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
This track explores and shares best practices and strategies for effective SEL implementation in various educational settings. Participants will delve into current research and evidence that highlight the impact and benefits of SEL on students' academic performance and overall well-being. The track will provide educators with actionable insights on integrating SEL into curriculum and school culture, emphasizing the development of emotional intelligence, resilience, and positive student-teacher relationships.

Teaching and Learning with Technology
This track focuses on the shifting world of digital transformation, highlighting innovative strategies and tools that enhance teaching and learning. Sessions will showcase advanced technologies, including the increasing potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their practical applications in creating student-centered learning experiences. Learn how technology can personalize instruction, provide meaningful feedback, and encourage collaboration and creativity while building essential skills for the 21st century, such as critical thinking, communication, and digital literacy. Discover new pedagogical approaches and best practices for effectively integrating technology to empower educators and learners in modern educational settings.

Computer Science
This track will focus on computer science and computational thinking for all levels of teaching. Presentation topics may include (but are not limited to) classroom practices, cross-curricular integration, afterschool programs, physical computing, robotics, cybersecurity, and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and Esports. Alignment to the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) professional development standards for K-12 computing is encouraged.

Cultivating Peace, Civic Engagement, and Democracy
This track, guided by the value of kuleana (responsibility), aims to promote peace through education, awareness, and advocacy. It will equip educators with the tools to foster ‘ike pono (an understanding of what is right) and cultivate lōkahi (unity and harmony) within their classrooms and communities. Sessions will explore strategies that encourage productive civic participation rooted in respect and shared responsibility.

Changemakers in Education
This track invites educators and administrators who are actively shaping the future of learning to share how change is being led, lived, and sustained in real school contexts. Sessions will explore how individuals and teams are reimagining teaching and learning to deepen student engagement, strengthen school culture and climate, and design assessment practices that support meaningful learning. Presentations may draw on research from the learning sciences and brain science to examine how students develop understanding, motivation, and agency over time. Sessions may also highlight the thoughtful use of emerging tools, including AI, when they are aligned with what we know about how people learn, helping to personalize learning, support effective feedback, and create more responsive, human-centered learning environments. This track creates space for educators to surface lessons learned, wrestle with complexity, and collaborate with others who are pushing beyond improvement toward transformation.

Presentation Formats:

Presentations (1 Hour)
These sessions are an hour 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.

Pre-Recorded Presentations (up to 1-hour long)
If you are already submitting a proposal to present at the Conference, consider also submitting a pre-recorded version of it. 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 Spotlight Talk is ideal for these sessions. Spotlight Talks are concise, polished presentations built around a single powerful idea - focused storytelling and strong visuals rather than reading off of a slide deck. Pre-recorded presentations will be made available to registered attendees along with a selection of keynote and featured speaker recordings. Recordings will not be downloadable or shareable and will only be accessible for 3 months following the conference. Recordings will be due September 30, 2026.