Put together a PPT that highlights the history including the aspect of necessity, frugality and creativity. Then note that even today quilters look to resuse materials while expressing their creativity.
Point out how the actual quilting has become an art by itself and how through appliques and paper piecing and other new quilting and cutting tools quilters can create artwork at at much more reasonable time. (Show always an example of what you are discussing)
Also, show a simple block can be arranged differently to create a new design. Note that quilters utilize new fabrics and colors that are in style at given time in fashion and home decor. Thus quilters go along with current fashion and home decor trends.
Finally, show examples of some of the newly created fabrics and how they allow even greater creativity.
Of course if you actually show how to do it or even better hand out pieces (or picts of ) they can manipulate into a pattern your audience will be actively engaged and understand how appropriate quilting is today.
Congrats upon your graduation and continued best wishes!