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
DCF Updates
Amanda St. Martin, MSW, Childcare Licensing Program Specialist
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Come and hear what’s new and exciting at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families! In this presentation, we will discuss new and continuing DCF projects and initiatives, and provide space for ECE professionals to ask questions and connect with colleagues
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
Gardening with Kids: How Planting Seeds Enriches Their Lives
Margaret Murphy, Senior Horticulture Educator
UW Madison Extension
Gardens can be a great place to cultivate a meaningful and fun learning experience for children. Gardening offers numerous benefits for children. It promotes healthy eating habits, encourages physical activity, and enhances motor skills. Furthermore, gardening cultivates responsibility, patience, and a connection with nature. We’ll discuss tips on how to create a garden space just for kids and learn about available curriculum that helps them learn how plants grow, and their importance in everyday life.
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
Bringing ECE Apprenticeship into the Family & Consumer Sciences Classroom
Chelsea Will, Apprenticeship Engagement Specialist
Britta Rotering, Supervisor of Career & Technical Education
School District of La Crosse, Wisconsin
What comes next for our students in Early Childhood Education after high school? As Family & Consumer Sciences Educators, we play a key role in helping students explore career pathways and prepare for meaningful opportunities. One of the newest options available is Wisconsin's Early Childhood Education Registered Apprenticeship Program, recently developed by the Department of Workforce Development. We invite you to join us and learn how to connect your students with these exciting opportunities in the field of Early Childhood Education.
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
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
Growing Together in FCS: A Coordinator Conversation
Amanda Drews, Assistant Professor FCSE/CTE U.W. Stout FCSE Concentration Coordinator
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Join us for a roundtable conversation with UW–Stout’s new FCS Concentration Coordinator. This session is an opportunity to connect, share ideas, and discuss the future of Family and Consumer Sciences education in Wisconsin. Together, we’ll explore ways to strengthen partnerships between UW–Stout and FCS educators, while also getting to know one another in a collaborative, informal setting.
Roundtable