Submission Guidelines

Submission Types

Submission deadline (Research and Symposia): May 8, 2023, midnight Eastern Time, USA (final extension!)

Submission deadline (Educator, Young Maker, Workshops, WIP, and all other categories): May 23, 2023, midnight Eastern Time, USA

All submissions will be made using EasyChair

As you read the requirements for each submission type, please make special note of whether or not your submission should be made anonymous!

Research papers

Research papers submitted to the full papers track should focus on completed or nearly completed empirical research. Acceptance will be based on paper contributions that report original work that has not been previously published. The paper must identify and cite published work relevant to the paper topic. It should explain how the work builds on previous contributions and should indicate where and why novel approaches have been adopted. Research papers should include a thorough methods section (which should include details about the participants involved in the study), report results, and discuss research findings in light of the existing literature. Papers should also stress the importance of the submission to the FabLearn and/or Constructionist communities. 

Short papers and posters are encouraged to demonstrate work in progress and late-breaking research results that show the latest innovative ideas. We invite presentation of ongoing work and preliminary results, by experienced academics as well as young researchers and designers. Short papers are not expected to include as thorough a literature review as full papers, but should include some details on methods and analysis as well as initial results.

Accepted full and short papers, and posters will be considered for publication and indexing in the ACM Digital Library.

While adherence to the conference theme is not mandatory, it is recommended.

Key information:

  • Accepted papers may be included in the indexed, archival-level ACM Proceedings
  • Language: English
  • Format: Use the ACM Master Article Template (or this direct link to the ACM Word Template). Papers will be submitted as both PDF and doc/docx.
  • Page limit including references:
    • Full papers 8 pages
    • Short papers 4 pages
    • Posters 2 pages
  • Presentation format:
    • Full papers: Oral presentation during the Research Panels
    • Short papers and Posters will be presented as posters.
  • Submissions must be submitted without author identification (papers with identifying information will be desk rejected!)
  • Submissions via EasyChair

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Special track: Constructionist / Maker Futures (8 pages)

In this track we are looking for full-length papers that engage with the theoretical or historical research literature to advance our understanding of constructionist design and plot new futures for constructionism, progressive pedagogies, and/or maker education. Consequently, papers submitted to this track may not include traditional methods sections. Rather than build an empirical argument, these papers may put forward a novel theoretical stance, future Constructionist / Maker classrooms or environments, design fiction, critique, or review that would be of interest to the constructionist / FabLearn community.

Key information:

  • Accepted papers may be included in the ETC Conference Proceedings
  • Language: English
  • Format: Use the Conference Submission Template. Papers will be submitted as both PDF and doc/docx
  • Page limit including references: 8 pages
  • Presentation format: Oral presentation during the Special Track Panels
  • Submissions must be submitted without author identification (papers with identifying information will be desk rejected!)
  • Submissions via EasyChair.

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Special track: New Technology Frontiers and Cultural Making (4 pages)

In this track, we are looking for short papers that engage with two main topics: (1) new technologies for maker education (e.g., biomaking, open-source low-cost hardware) and (2) Cultural Making (studies and descriptions of ways of making from around the world.) Consequently, papers submitted to this track may not include traditional sections. Rather, “New tech frontiers” papers should have a detailed description of the technology or design, its potential for maker education, and (if possible) results from initial user or learning studies. Cultural Making papers should comprise a detailed description of the maker practice, its history and context, where it is used and by whom, and (optionaly) how it relates to education within its community. Photographs and diagrams are encouraged.

Key information:

  • Accepted papers may be included in the ETC Conference Proceedings
  • Language: English
  • Format: Use the Conference Submission Template. Papers will be submitted as both PDF and doc/docx
  • Page limit including references: 4 pages
  • Presentation format: Oral presentation during the Special Track Panels
  • Submissions must be submitted without author identification (papers with identifying information will be desk rejected!)
  • Submissions via EasyChair.

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Educator Papers (4 pages)

Teachers, administrators, and program facilitators: we are looking forward to reflections on your experiences with maker-centered and constructionist learning in classrooms, museums, and other learning spaces. Please include a description of the formal or informal educational experience, who was involved, an explanation of its importance to the maker-centered/hands-on/digital fabrication/CS learning communities, and thoughts about what can be learned more generally from your experience and its value for other educators. This category is not meant to be an “academic” paper, but rather a structured report of best practices (or worst practices that should not be repeated!), interesting experiences, and visions for constructionist learning.

While adherence to the conference theme is not mandatory, it is recommended.

Submission guidelines:

  • Presentation: Presentations will occur in a Round Table – 8-minute presentations by 2-3 educators followed by intimate discussion.
  • Page limit including references: 4 pages
  • Format: Use the Conference Submission Template. Papers will be submitted as both PDF and doc/docx
  • Language: English
  • Submissions via EasyChair

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Young makers papers and project showcase (4 pages)

For elementary to high-school students willing to showcase a project, technology, idea, or share a reflection on their fabrication space. We are also seeking incomplete projects, things that went wrong, and experiences that could be valuable lessons for other students and the maker community.

Proposals should describe a completed (or not completed) project that could be brought to the conference and exhibited during the student showcase session or discussed by the student in a small panel format. Submissions may include a critique, project documentation, and/or stories about the student’s experience in a fabrication space. If you are an educator and you have some great work in your class, please encourage your students to submit!

Submission guidelines:

  • Presentation: Submissions will be accepted to either the Young Maker panel or a Young Maker poster session. Young Maker panel participants will share a 5 min presentation and participate in a Q&A session led by the Young Maker Committee Chair. Young Maker poster participants will share a 1 min “Madness” presentation followed by a poster session showcasing his/her/their work.
  • Page limit: 4 pages, with as many pictures and explanations as needed. You may include links to videos as well.
  • Format: Use the Conference Submission Template. Papers will be submitted as both PDF and doc/docx.
  • Language: English
  • Submissions via EasyChair

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Work In Progress, New and Emerging Technologies, Demonstrations of Constructionist Media, Best-ish Practices, Cool Stuff We Couldn’t Submit Elsewhere (4 pages)

This track provides an opportunity to bring diverse groups of people together to discuss current and future innovations in (educational) technology, new digital fabrication tools, hands-on learning platforms, construction kits applicable to education, student projects, interesting constructed artifacts, best practices, unique implementations of constructionist work, art exhibits, etc that have potential for impact within our communities. Basically, if it doesn’t fit in any of the other tracks, but you think it might be of value to the Constructionist and FabLearn communities, submit here! 

At the conference, authors of these submissions will participate in either the poster/demo session where they will have the opportunity to demonstrate their product or project or the roundtable sessions where they can engage in conversation. Your submission should contain a detailed description of the product or project being demonstrated, an explanation of its importance to the digital fabrication/makers/hands-on learning communities, and any power or space needs. You may also need to include a relevant literature, a rational for your design or project, discussion, etc. Use headings to help guide the reader through your submission!

Submission guidelines:

  • Presentation: Submissions will be accepted to the poster or roundtable session.
  • Page limit including references: 4 pages with as many pictures and explanations as needed. You may include links to videos as well
  • Format: Use the Conference Submission Template. Papers will be submitted as both PDF and doc/docx.
  • Language: English
  • Submissions must be submitted without author identification (papers with identifying information will be desk rejected!)
  • Submissions via EasyChair

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Workshops (2 pages)

Workshops should provide hands-on activities for participants to engage with and can follow a variety of formats.  For example, workshops may be a pedagogic activity, involve exploring a new tool, roundtable discussion, etc. Workshop sessions will be 100 minutes long. While adherence to the conference theme is not mandatory, it is highly recommended: if applicable, please include an explanation of how your submission fits in with the conference theme.

Workshop abstracts should include the following:

  • Outline what the activity will involve.
  • Clearly identify the key ideas which underpin the activity.
  • Explanation of how the activity will be beneficial to participants.

Following the abstract, include a section outlining the following:

  • Who is the target audience?
  • The maximum number of attendees.
  • Any equipment that will be required (including who you expect to supply it).
  • Whether there are any requirements regarding the physical space.

Submission Guidelines:

  • Presentation: 100-minute workshop during the conference.
  • Page limit: 2 pages. Please include pictures! You may include links to videos
  • Language: English
  • Format: Use the Conference Submission Template. Papers will be submitted as both PDF and doc/docx.
  • Content: Every workshop submission should include: (1) Title and abstract; (2) short bios of the instructors; (3) description of the scope of the workshop, expected level of experience of participants, main topics covered, and outcomes; (4) explanation of the importance of your submission to the digital fabrication/makers/hands-on/CS learning communities; (5) maximum number of participants and technology/space/material/logistics needs
  • Workshops will be selected considering a combination of factors, including: originality, experience of teaching team, quality of the submission (level of detail, clarity).
  • We encourage workshops submissions to try new combinations of techniques, ideas, and materials.
  • Submissions via EasyChair

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Symposia (8 pages)

Symposia provide opportunities for a group of researchers and/or practitioners to engage their audience with a common topic. Submissions usually include a collection of papers or posters or may involve a panel of speakers (other, innovative formats are also encouraged). Symposia are chaired discussions, and the role of the chair is to ask questions and ensure that each participant engages in the discussion, avoiding dominance from a single voice and ensuring multiple perspectives are heard. Chairs will also moderate engagement with the audience.  

Submission Guidelines:

  • Accepted papers will be included in the Conference Proceedings
  • Language: English
  • Format: Use the Conference Submission Template. Papers will be submitted as both PDF and doc/docx.
  • Page limit: No more than 8-pages
  • Presentation: 60 min
  • The submission overview should indicate the topic of the symposium, explain the significance of the topic, engage with the relevant literature, and describe the expected structure of the symposium. An abstract representing each presenter on the symposia should also be included.
  • Because the expertise of the participants in a symposium are important to the review process, these submissions should not be anonymous.
  • Submissions via EasyChair

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Barcamp

Conferences are often frontal presentations. Not so the Barcamp. This modern form of an interactive conference thrives on the commitment of the participants and thus deliberately breaks with tradition. Contributions, so-called sessions, are made by the participants themselves at the beginning of the event and then carried out later. This creates inspiring peer learning, where everyone can learn from each other’s experiences.  

Barcamps usually follow a loose theme and sometimes include keynote speeches. However, the organizers give control over the content of the sessions entirely to the participants. They can propose sessions in advance or at the dedicated planning session at the beginning of the barcamp. Sessions always last 45 minutes and are formally very open. In this way, a discussion with or without input on a topic can be stimulated. A small workshop can be held or a question can be raised and discussed in the group. At the beginning of the conference, all proposals for sessions are collected, briefly presented and the interest in them is asked for. Session size will be allocated based on interest. The participatory and interest-led character of the Barcamp invites people to learn from each other and to enter into conversation about topics. 

To plan the sessions in advance, a MIRO board will be announced where participants can note down their ideas before the planning session. Two rounds of sessions are planned. 

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