The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend is excited to announce our 2025 Early Learning Conference: Cultivating Curiosity, a one-day event dedicated to empowering early learning educators with STEAM-based tools and strategies to inspire curiosity and engagement in children aged birth to five. The conference will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida.

We seek dynamic early learning expert keynote speakers and breakout session presenters to provide insights and practical tools aligning with our theme. This year's focus emphasizes incorporating nature, insects, hands-on experiments, and creative play environments such as mud kitchens, gardens, and water play into early childhood education.

Ideal topics for sessions include, but are not limited to:

• The role of curiosity in brain development and early learning.
• Integrating STEAM concepts into age-appropriate, play-based activities.
• Using outdoor environments to support cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development.
• The connection between sensory play and early problem-solving skills.
• Practical strategies for creating natural, curiosity-driven learning spaces 

We aim to provide educators with research-backed insights and actionable ideas that make learning joyful, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate for young children. If you are passionate about fostering curiosity and innovation in early childhood education, we want to hear from you!

Together, we will engage, educate, and elevate our professionals and the profession. 

For Consideration, Interested Vendors must submit their Completed Quote Forms no later than 5:00 PM, January 9, 2025 (Submit a separate Quote Form for each presentation you would like ELC to Consider).

Presenter Information (Not Scored, 0 Points)

Presentation Title and Session Track (Not Scored, 0 Points)

Speaker Quote Including Any Discounts (0 - 15 Points)

ELC will not reimburse speakers for travel and hotel expenses. This one-day event will be held at a public conference center in Tallahassee with an anticipated audience of 250 early learning educators.

ELC will provide all selected Breakout Session Speakers a small stipend after they document completion of their presentation. Interested Breakout Session Speakers should enter 0 in all columns in the Speaker Quote table.

Interested Keynote Speakers should complete the Speaker Quote table below with their Standard Fee, Discount Amount (or $0, if none offered), and Speaker Quote after adjusting for any discounts. The total combined budget for both Keynote Speakers will not exceed $8,000 (the sum of both awards will not exceed $8,000).

ELC reserves the right to negotiate final speaker fees after issuing any Notice of Intent to Award (NOIA).

ELC does not make advance payments for contracted speakers. Selected speakers who complete their contracted services will be approved for payment after they invoice ELC and provide all required documentation outlined in ELC's Professional Services Agreement.

Presentation Type and Conference Topic (0 - 10 Points)

Presentation Summary (0 - 35 Points)

Presentation Goals (0 - 20 Points)

Target Audience Engagement (0 - 20 Points)