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UT STEM Experiences for K-12 Students

2014 PCRSP Poster SessionIn response to heavy demand, the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach is sharing this initial list of K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) research and experiential opportunities offered by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

If you are a UT sponsor of these opportunities, please send any additions or corrections to: engagement@utk.edu.

If you are a K-12 teacher, parent or student, please contact these offices or programs directly, as information may have changed.

Important note: our focus is on the program level. Due to logistical and liability reasons, we are unable to arrange individual opportunities for non-UT students.

UT STEM Experiences for K-12 Students

  • Big Orange STEM Symposium: Panel discussions, break-out sessions, & STEM fair for students and their families
  • Kids U: Summer Kid’s Camps at UT. Students in grades K-12 work with faculty, staff and graduate students in a broad variety of fields.
  • UT Admissions: High School Visiting & Dual Enrollment. High school students may attend UT as part-time visiting students or dual enrollment students with the permission of their parents, principal, and school counselor, and the approval of the Director of Admissions.
  • UT Extension’s 4-H School Year & Summer Programs. Includes a broad spectrum of school year programs, summer camps, clubs, and other activities, including a number that focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
  • Governor’s Schools for the Sciences and Engineering. Five-week summer college credit program.
  • Tennessee Science Olympiad. Check with your school as this is a school-based K-12 program. In grades 6-12, TSO involves coaching and practice throughout the year.
  • CURENT Pre-College Programs. Includes Adventure in STEM (in collaboration with Nimbios and 4-H) week long summer program for rising 7th and 8th grade girls; The Young Scholar Summer Program- 6-week paid summer internships for high school students to do research; The Young Scholar Program (Academic Year) for rising high school sophomores, juniors & seniors.
  • College of Engineering EDP: Pre-College Programs. Includes Technology Student Association TEAMS Competition (TSA); Middle School Introduction to Engineering Systems (MITES); Engineering VOLunteers for 9th Graders (E-VOL9); Engineering VOLunteers for 10th Graders (E-VOL10); and High School Introduction to Engineering Systems.
  • NIMBioS Pre-College Programs: include Girls in Science (summer program for rising 8th grade girls);
  • Math and Science Center (MSC). Designed to strengthen the math and science skills of participating students. Top participants are selected as Bridge Scholars and receive a scholarship covering all costs for college credit courses in the summer after they have graduated from their respective high schools.
  • Smoky Mountain Field School . The Smoky Mountain Field School enhances public appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the natural world while promoting the idea of learning as a joyful and enriching part of life.
  • Tennessee Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. TJSHS is an annual scientific research competition that gives high school students the opportunity to present original research in a public forum.
  • UT Veterinary Summer Experience. Students work in a local veterinary practice in their hometown for six weeks and then spend one week in Knoxville as guests of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • 4-H Electric Camp fun-filled, rewarding adventure in electricity for 6th and 7th Youth will work with electrical specialists from across the state in learning centers.  Camp learning center contains hands-on activities: youth can learn by doing.  Campers meet 4-H’ers from across Tennessee and explore careers in energy, electricity and basic sciences.

Other resources in the Knoxville area:

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