Concurrent Sessions are the heart of NMEA Conference programming. We are excited to have educators, researchers, explorers, writers, artists, conservation managers, and anyone with a passion for the World of Water share that passion by presenting a concurrent session at the 2025 annual conference, “enGULFed in Change: Roux-ted in Resiliency.” The conference will be held from June 29 - July 3, 2025 at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Sessions at the 2025 Conference will align with the mission and goals of NMEA.

Submission deadline is February 7 for the 2025 conference. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status at the beginning of March prior to registration opening.

All correspondence will go through the lead presenter and it is their responsibility to communicate with their additional presenters and assure that things are updated as needed.

All listed presenters must register for the conference to present.

Please email nmea2025@marine-ed.org with any questions.

 
 

Conference Tracks

TRACK 1

Gulf of Mexico Marine Education: Inspiring the Next Generation: Dive into the educational innovations, partnerships, and programs that are connecting communities to the Gulf of Mexico’s rich ecosystems. This track explores STEM initiatives, outreach strategies, and hands-on learning experiences designed to foster a deeper understanding of marine science and conservation among youth and adults. Presentations will showcase case studies, curriculum development, and approaches that are making a measurable impact on ocean literacy and stewardship.

TRACK 2

Understanding Communities: Environmental Justice & Equity in Coastal Contexts: Grounded in the cultural fabric of communities near water, this track explores the vital intersection of environmental justice, resilience, and community well-being. Sessions will showcase research, community-led projects, and activities that honor various local traditions while addressing challenges like equitable resource access, protection for vulnerable populations, and sustainable futures. Attendees will gain an understanding of how environmental issues shape the social, economic, and health dynamics of many coastal communities, emphasizing collaborative, culturally respectful solutions that support both people and ecosystems.

TRACK 3

Lagniappe: Expanding Horizons in Ocean Literacy: Expanding Horizons in Ocean and Great Lakes Literacy: Lagniappe (pronounced lan-yap) is a creole word that means little something extra—a surprise gift or bonus that adds unexpected delight. This track is dedicated to advancing aquatic literacy through innovative and interdisciplinary approaches. Whether presenting emerging technologies, fostering cross-disciplinary partnerships, or addressing unexpected challenges and successes, this space celebrates projects that enhance understanding, connection, and stewardship of our oceans and the Great Lakes. By highlighting unique contributions to aquatic literacy, this track aims to inspire and empower audiences to engage deeply with marine and aquatic science, education, and outreach.

TRACK 4

Future Focus: Conservation and Protection in a Changing Ocean: Conservation and Protection in Changing Waters: As our world faces both natural and human-driven changes, this track looks ahead to innovative strategies for preserving its ecosystems and biodiversity. Topics include habitat restoration, species protection, climate adaptation, and initiatives aimed at safeguarding water for future generations. Join us in exploring approaches to sustaining Earth's ecological health and resilience.

IN-PERSON PRESENTATIONS

SESSION FORMATS

  • Full Session: 50-minute presentations (includes questions) from one or more speakers. We encourage submissions for interactive or hands-on sessions.

  • Lightning Session: One speaker each limited to 15-minute presentations including questions, grouped by topic. 

  • Poster: Posters will be presented on Monday, June 30, 2025. Details on poster dimensions coming soon.

PRESENTATION RECORDINGS

If you are presenting in person, we encourage you to also make your presentation available,through Whova, to our virtual conference attendees or in-person attendees who have conflicting sessions to extend your reach to a larger audience. This is a great way to practice your session before the conference! We will not be recording or streaming any concurrent sessions at the conference. More information on how to submit your recording will be available closer to the conference.. 

ASYNCHRONOUS PRESENTATIONS

Pre-recorded 15- to 30-minute presentations that will be uploaded and viewable to all registered participants asynchronously on Whova. This is the only presentation format available for those attending the conference remotely who would like to present.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR PRESENTERS:

All in-person and asynchronous presenters must register for the conference. 

NMEA membership is required for conference registration. Presentations should focus on relevant topics and emphasize collaborations, emerging professionals, student engagement and accessible educational resources. Presenters who have products for sale are encouraged to register for a table at our Exhibitor Fair. Presenters are also encouraged to submit a recording of their presentation to be uploaded to the Whova platform so that remote participants can view it.

All in-person presentations must be done on site at the conference.

All in-person presenters need to be registered members of the conference and must use the predetermined facilities for their presentation. Presenters must provide any materials necessary to make their presentation. Corresponding authors who are not attending the conference may be listed but do not need to register.