Conference Date: January 18, 2027
Location: Deep Run High School & Virginia General Assembly

Conference Overview

The 4th annual Virginia STEM Advocacy Seminar will be held on Monday, January 18, 2027. This is an opportunity for students to join together in a conference-style setting to learn about STEM education legislation in the current General Assembly session. Experts in General Assembly operations, STEM education legislation, and advocacy will present sessions on topics including active STEM education bills, how to lead effective meetings with legislators, how legislation passes through the General Assembly to become law, and more. After the sessions and lunch are over, teams will drive on their own to the Virginia General Assembly at the Capitol to meet with their state legislator offices in the afternoon.

Registration Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2027
Hours: Check-in opens at 8 am. Sessions 9 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. (lunch served during the last session at 12:00 PM.)
Cost: $25 for SASA members and $50 for non-SASA members (The $50 includes the SASA membership).

Materials will be provided. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

8:00 – 9:00 AM 
Check-in, Breakfast, Networking

9:00 AM
Opening – What to Expect

9:10 AM 
Welcome Keynote

9:25 AM  
Advocacy 101 – SASA

9:55 AM 
Virginia State Legislature/Budget Process

10:05 AM
Effective Meetings, Visiting the Capitol, Tips and Tricks

10:30 AM
Break/Networking

10:45 AM
STEM Ecosystems in Virginia

11:45 AM
Group Meeting Practice (with lunch) 

12:30 PM – 12:45 PM
Teams Head to General Assembly for Meetings