Call for Proposals

Abstract submission is now open. Click here to submit an abstract

SABER East will feature the following presentations:

Oral Presentations

Oral presentation will showcase ideas and projects at various stages of developments. Emphasis on communicating robust findings using tried and tested instruments and protocols, as well as novel pedagogical approaches. If the work has been presented at a previous SABER meeting, please be sure that the submitted abstract contains significant novel information. Presentations will be 12 minutes long, plus 3 minutes for questions. Abstract should be no more than 250 words.

Oral Presentation Evaluation Parameters:

• The title accurately describes the main idea of the abstract, captivates the reader, and is of appropriate length.
• A clear research question or educational problem in STEM education is identified
• The purpose and rationale for the research/project was clearly stated.
• An existing research gap in STEM education is identified and addressed.
• A suitable theoretical or conceptual framework, or any sort of model, is identified and succinctly described.
• There is reference made to a relevant literature base, with at least one citation provided.
• There is a clear and precise description of the study context and participant information (e.g., demographics) is included, if applicable.
• There is a clear and precise description of how the researcher(s) collected data and the types of data collected are identified.
• There is a clear and precise description of how the data was analyzed and data analysis methods are appropriate.
• Overall, the study design and methods are clearly stated and are appropriate to the research questions.
• Any claims made are supported by the evidence and are aligned with the research question.
• The work is of interest to the broader SABER audience.
• In some way, the work will enhance the existing literature base of STEM education.
• At least one clear implication for teaching, learning, or research in the STEM education field is offered.

Posters

Posters should describe work that has not been published. Content may include research or pedagogy of interest to undergraduate biology educators. Abstracts should be no more than 200 words. 

Shark Tank

Shark Tank will be a 3-minute, 1-slide presentation with a panel of experts to ask additional questions and give feedback. This session is frequently mentioned by attendees to be one of their most enjoyable. There will be a prize for audience favorite shark tank presentation, and an opportunity for presenters to receive anonymous feedback from the audience as well as from the expert panel. Abstract should be short (~100 words) and no data is needed. The purpose of this type of presentation is for graduate students, postdocs, or early career individuals to get feedback on ideas where they might not yet have much data (for example, talks centered on thesis proposals, dissertation proposals, or grant/project proposals). Priority will be given to trainee presentations, when selecting proposals. See quote from former participant:

“The Shark Tank competition at SABER East was an amazing experience. As a second-year PhD student, it gave me the opportunity to really challenge myself intellectually, creatively, and communicatively. The SABER East community is super supportive and the judges asked questions in ways that helped me think more deeply about the impacts of my idea. Participating in the competition gave me valuable insight into how biology education researchers think about and react to emotions in science education, and I ended up publishing my Shark Tank idea in a CBE-Life Sciences publication. I truly encourage trainees to utilize the Shark Tank competition as a tool for professional development among a community that builds you up if/when you make mistakes as opposed to tearing you down and making you feel incompetent.”  - Ash Tea (2024 winner)

Workshops

Workshops may be oriented toward researchers or practitioners. Longer (4-hour) workshops will take place on Wednesday before the main conference, and shorter (1.5-hour) workshops will take place on Thursday during the conference. Proposals for workshops should (1) describe the ideal intended audience (e.g. career stage, institutional context, etc) and number of participants, (2) outline the learning objectives of the session, (3) describe the activities, (4) describe what participants will be doing during the activities, and (5) make it clear to a participant what their main takeaways will be. A short biographical sketch outlining the qualifications of the presenter(s) should be included. You may include up to three supplemental files. These are not required for submission, but could include materials you have already prepared or a publication on which the workshop is based, for example.

Workshop Evaluation Parameters:

• Evidence of the presenters' expertise is provided (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, presentations, grants, certifications).        
• The purpose and rationale for hosting the workshop are clearly stated.      
• There is reference made to a relevant literature base, with at least one citation provided.    
• Learning objectives are clearly stated with higher-order thinking skills.         
• The workshop activities align with the learning objectives      

• There is a well-articulated description that seems plausible and appropriate to the topic at hand.    

• Participants will be meaningfully and actively engaged rather than primarily listening.

• At least one clear implication for teaching, learning, or research in the STEM education field is offered.       
• Participants will leave with concrete strategies, tools, or resources they can apply in their own teaching or research.
• The workshop aims to teach or share usable information based in DBER research (e.g., directly applicable to DBER research, implementing DBER in classes).
• The work is of interest and would appeal to the broader SABER audience. 

Abstract submission will occur via Microsoft CMT starting in January 2026. Note that you will need to sign in to CMT or create a new account.