2025 Presentations
Concurrent (one hour) Presentations
Bringing the FCCLA Planning Process to Life in Your Classroom
Sarah James, HS Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher, Dodgeville FCCLA Chapter Adviser 25-26 WI State Executive Council Adviser
Addy Hoyer, 2026 Dodgeville HS Grad, future Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher
Dodgeville, WI
Learn how to engage your students in purposeful project-based learning using FCCLA’s five-step Planning Process. In this interactive workshop, educators will explore practical strategies to incorporate the Planning Process worksheet into daily instruction and student-led projects. Participants will gain hands-on experience guiding students through the key steps: Identify Concerns, set a Goal, Form a Plan, Act, and Follow Up. Discover how this framework can build critical thinking, leadership, and organizational skills—whether you're preparing for competitive events or integrating real-world learning into your curriculum. Walk away with classroom-ready resources, activity ideas, and inspiration to empower your students through planning.
Concurrent
Encouraging the Next Generation of Teachers-Building a High School Educators Pathway
Courtney Gbolo, Education Pathway Specialist
Lauren Rekonen, Education Pathway Teacher
Hannah Chan, Education Pathway Teacher
Saint Paul Public Schools
Join us to learn about the strategies used to develop the Saint Paul Public Schools Education Pathway. This initiative is designed to provide high school students—particularly students of color—with meaningful opportunities to explore a career in education. In this session, we will share how to: Develop and implement new Education Pathway courses. Create paid internship programs for students. Secure scholarships to support future educators. Build quality partnerships that benefit students. You will leave with practical resources, actionable ideas, and valuable connections to help you build and sustain an effective educator pathway in your community.
Concurrent
AI’m Not Kidding: Tech Tips for Today’s FCS Classroom - Virtual Presentation
Stephanie Fox, CFCS, CFCS, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Career and Technical Education Coordinator School District of North Fond du Lac
Discover how artificial intelligence can revolutionize the way you teach, plan, and connect in your Family and Consumer Sciences classroom. In this engaging session, we’ll explore practical ways to use AI tools like ChatGPT for creating lesson plans, generating rubrics, brainstorming activities, writing professional communications, and more. You’ll also learn how to guide your students in using AI responsibly—when it’s a helpful resource for homework, and when it’s crossing the line. Whether you’re AI-curious or already chatting it up with your own “Chat Bestie,” you’ll leave with ready-to-use strategies and the confidence to integrate AI into your FCS teaching toolkit. And yes, I used AI to write that!
Concurrent
Feel Better Every Day: Connect with your Positive Emotions!
Luisa Gerasimo, Human Development and Relationships Educator
UW Madison Division of Extension, Dunn County
Missy Bablick. Human Development and Relationships Educator
Barron County
Feeling Good Every Day: Do you want to feel better and learn effective ways to deal with life's ups and downs? The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Extension office offers a free online class called WeCOPE (Connecting with Our Positive Emotions). It's all about finding the good things in life and giving you tools to feel good every day. This class has 6 sessions, and each one is an hour long, but in this quick session you will get an overview of the tools you can use to help you cope with life's ups and downs. WeCOPE is a program that helps adults handle stress by focusing on positive feelings. Studies have shown that this program can help people feel happier, less stressed, and even make healthier choices. The WeCOPE program is based on the work of Dr. Judith Moskowitz. Her research shows that even when facing tough times, positive feelings can still happen, and these feelings can help us cope with the stress in our lives. You will go home with some great resources and the chance to sign up for a free statewide online series that begins on October 20th.
Concurrent
Digging in Dirt
Nancy Merwin, Family and Consumer Sciences, FCCLA Adviser, Educators Rising Adviser
Teacher at Cuba City Middle/High School
Deb Schweickhardt BS-FCS, MS-FCS, Retired Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Wausau West High School, Child Care Advocate, Gardener
The early childhood classroom is the perfect place to ignite the passion for playing in the dirt and grow something to eat. This will develop lifelong skills with children and parents. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) activities that can be used in the early childhood setting while watching children and food grow. The activities can be taken back to your classroom and used with high school students, and they may develop the passion to grow a garden. Examples are supported from the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) and built into lesson plans through Exploration, Discovery, and Problem Solving. Come join in on the fun!
Concurrent
Artist in Residence: Where art and science intersect
Cheri Stockinger, Science Teacher
Lakes International Language Academy
60 min Inspirational, multi-media presentation on Artist in Residence programs.
Concurrent
Developing 3D food-printed plant-based vegan meat burger patties
Pranabendu Mitra. Associate Professor Department of Kinesiology, Health, Food and Nutritional Sciences
University of Wisconsin - Stout
The global demand for plant-based meat analogues (PBMAs) is rapidly increasing, projected to surpass $30 billion within 3–5 years due to environmental, health, and ethical concerns surrounding traditional meat. However, replicating meat-like texture from plant proteins remains a major challenge, prompting interest in 3D food printing as a solution. This study aimed to develop 3D-printed PBMA patties using a blend of plant ingredients and assess the impact of natural flavors—Asian spices and BBQ masala—on their physicochemical, textural, and sensory properties. Patties were deep-fried and analyzed for moisture, color, texture, and taste. Results showed that added flavors significantly improved quality, with Asian spices emerging as the most preferred, suggesting that flavor optimization can enhance consumer acceptance and market potential of 3D-printed PBMAs.
Concurrent
Sketch It Out: Visual Literacy for Recipes, Routines & Real Life - Virtual Presentation
Stephanie Fox, CFCS, CFCS, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Career and Technical Education Coordinator School District of North Fond du Lac
Bring literacy to life in your FCS classroom with the power of Sketchnotes! In this interactive session, we’ll explore how visual notetaking can help students break down complex concepts like recipes, lab procedures, directions, and more. Sketchnotes encourage students to process and retain information in creative, personalized ways—combining doodles, symbols, and short text to build deeper understanding. You'll learn strategies for introducing sketchnotes to students of all skill levels, as well as ideas for integrating them into a variety of FCS topics—from culinary arts to child development. Walk away with examples, templates, and tips to boost literacy, engagement, and retention—all while making learning more fun and visual.
Concurrent
Roundtable (30 - min) Presentations
FCCLA Foundation Sponsored Programs & Grants
Bonnie Duchac, FCCLA Foundation President
Set up a display table for the FCCLA Foundation-sponsored programs in the main meeting room. We would also be interested in making a short presentation as part of a welcome at the beginning of the conference. Information will be shared about scholarships, FCCLA adviser professional development grants, and chapter grants for FCCLA community service projects.
Roundtable
Strengthening Wisconsin’s Hospitality & Tourism Pathway: The La Crosse Culinary Arts Academy
Sheila Kroseberg, Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Ambassador Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher
Beth Schaefer, Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator
Waupaca High School
Join us for an engaging breakout session, where we will explore the Agriculture in the Classroom materials specifically designed for Family and Consumer Sciences educators. Participants will discover innovative strategies to integrate agricultural concepts into their curriculum, enhancing students' understanding of food systems and sustainability. Together, we will share resources and best practices to empower educators in fostering a deeper connection between agriculture and the family & consumer sciences classroom.
Roundtable
Sew Much Fun in 30 Minutes
Cheri Stockinger, Science Teacher
Lakes International Language Academy
30-minute make-and-take introductory sewing lesson.
Roundtable
WI Agriculture in All Classrooms
Sheila Kroseberg, Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Ambassador Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher
Beth Schaefer, Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator
Waupaca High School
Join us for an engaging breakout session, where we will explore the Agriculture in the Classroom materials specifically designed for Family and Consumer Sciences educators. Participants will discover innovative strategies to integrate agricultural concepts into their curriculum, enhancing students' understanding of food systems and sustainability. Together, we will share resources and best practices to empower educators in fostering a deeper connection between agriculture and the family & consumer sciences classroom.
Roundtable