From Concept to Conference: Presenting a Student-Made Assessment at AOTA INSPIRE Annual Conference & Expo
As occupational therapy (OT) students, we are often encouraged to explore what truly matters to us and our clients. For my independent research project, I set out to better understand how the personal significance of home environments shapes occupational engagement for older adults aging in place. This journey led to the co-development of the Natural Home Environment Screening Tool (NEST) with professor Marlene J. Morgan, EdD, OTR/L, and a fulfilling experience presenting our work at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) INSPIRE 2025 Annual Conference & Expo.
This experience began during my sophomore year, when I reached out to a professor in the occupational therapy department. When I shared my interest in working with older adults, my professor offered me an opportunity to complete an independent research project outside of the classroom. As we brainstormed together, we noted that the older adult population tends to stay in familiar environments with meaningful objects nearby. Throughout the past few years, we have been able to research and develop this concept even further. The NEST is an observational, in-home assessment tool designed to capture the meaningful items, spaces, and routines older adults rely on daily. Rather than focusing solely on safety or accessibility, this tool dives deeper by analyzing what objects carry personal or cultural value, where individuals spend most of their time, and what elements in their home environment support their identity, spirituality, and routine.
We structured the NEST based on key components of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2020). Rooted in the occupational profile section of the evaluation, the NEST considered factors such as performance patterns, body functions, values and beliefs, and environmental supports. This structure allows occupational therapists to create personalized interventions that honor each client’s lived experience. Through field-testing and ongoing refinement, the tool has demonstrated its potential to support holistic, client-centered care for individuals aging in place.
The most impactful part of this journey was presenting our poster on the NEST at the AOTA INSPIRE 2025 Conference & Expo. This experience of sharing student-led research at a national level was both nerve-wracking and incredibly rewarding. With anxiety over the desire to present well and share our project, it was incredibly rewarding to see how well it was perceived by the audience. For those preparing to present their own work at a conference, here are a few tips that helped me along the way:
Practice
Prepare your elevator pitch! This helped me formulate what important information would grab the attention of the audience. Rehearsing is essential, but also, stay flexible. When I was rehearsing, I formulated different ways to explain the presentation; this way, it sounded natural and not robotic. Be ready to adjust your flow based on questions or any time constraints.
Lead with your “why”
Explaining what drew you to your topic helps make your presentation more engaging and authentic. Growing up, I had a close-knit relationship with my grandparents, which is what drew me to working with older adults. That background allowed me to express my passion through this project.
Use visuals
Using visuals helps the audience gain a deeper sense of your work. On our poster, we included photos of what the NEST looked like to help our audience gain a better understanding. Additionally, the use of QR codes were extremely helpful in saving space and providing easy access to additional resources.
View your presentation from the audience’s perspective
Think of how an attendee will be seeing your presentation, especially if they are unfamiliar with the topic. On our poster, we tried to use layman’s terms to make the information easily digestible. How can you make your message relatable and understandable? We tried to accomplish this by using more facts than “fluff” details, which made the poster direct and to the point.
Anticipate questions
Think of some general questions an attendee may have and prepare succinct responses. You could brainstorm with a peer to simulate a real-life situation. A peer can look at your presentation for the first time and generate questions. This allowed me to think on my feet by trying to get my main points across quickly; having that experience under your belt can ensure your responses fully reflect what you want to convey..
Be present
Attend other sessions and network with attendees and presenters. Conferences are about connection! You usually also have the opportunity to explore ideas at the Expo.
Our creation of the NEST was also accepted for presentation at the 2025 European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education (ENOTHE) Conference, underscoring its relevance to the profession. Through this work, I’ve seen how profoundly a home can reflect a person’s values, routines, and history. Tools like the NEST help occupational therapists move beyond familiar assessments to honor what matters most to our clients. From a simple idea to an international platform, this journey reminds me of how student voices and innovations can shape the future of OT.
Jordan Smith will soon graduate from the University of Scranton with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. This summer, she will complete her second Level II fieldwork at Universal Institute in Long Branch, New Jersey, where she will work with individuals with spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Throughout her 5-year program, Jordan has appreciated the opportunity to learn about the wide range of populations and age groups served by occupational therapy, with a particular interest in working with adults and older adults.
Reference
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and Process (4th ed). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74 (Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ ajot.2020.74S2001.