STEM Initiatives
In 2005, the National Academy of Sciences released a report warning that the U.S. could risk its world leadership and compromise its citizens’ quality of life if the nation does not stay competitive with the rest of the world in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). As a result of these reports, encouraging student interest in education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics has become both a national and a state priority. The Office of Academic Outreach is committed to creating and supporting opportunities for our faculty and their students to engage in programs and activities that enhance education in STEM disciplines and kindle interest among students in STEM related careers. We pursue these goals by developing and leading initiatives within the College of Arts and Sciences and by collaborating with other academic units at UT Knoxville, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as well as federal, corporate and private agencies who share our agenda for advancing STEM education and workforce development.
Initiatives Administered Through the Office of Academic Outreach on Behalf of the College of Arts and Sciences and Our Collaborating Partners
Tennessee Governor's Schools for Science and Engineering
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is host for the Tennessee Governor's Schools of Science and Engineering. The Governor’s Schools are financially supported by a contract with the Tennessee Department of Education. Classrooms, laboratories and equipment, and other support are provided by the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Engineering and the departments and programs that offer the specific courses.
Tennessee Science Olympiad State Tournament (TSOST)
Each spring, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville hosts the Tennessee Science Olympiad State Tournament. The 2009 state competition is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences Office of Academic Outreach with support from the UT/ORNL Science Alliance, and the College of Engineering.
Tennessee Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (TJSHS)
The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) is a national program that promotes and fosters research and experimentation at the high school level in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. A distinguishing feature of the symposium is that young high school scientists are allowed to present original scientific research orally in a public forum. The JSHS is jointly sponsored by the research offices of the United States Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in cooperation with leading research universities throughout the nation. The Department of Defense generously provides funding for the national symposium and the JSHS scholarships. The JSHS is administered nationally through the Academy of Applied Science, and is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
The Tennessee JSHS Program is administered by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville through collaboration of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, the College of Engineering, UT-ORNL ScienceAlliance, and UT-Battelle, management contractor for the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
UT Pre-Collegiate Research Scholars Program
The College of Arts And Sciences and the College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville are partnering with the Farragut High School Science Academy (Knox County Schools, Tennessee) in a pilot program--the UT Pre-Collegiate Research Scholars Program. Farragut High School seniors working under the direction of their high school teacher mentor, Ms. Kristin Baksa, are awarded scholarships to work with faculty mentors in UT research laboratories. The program’s goal is to develop a model for hosting high school students in UT research laboratories so that they may experience the excitement of scientific research and engage in their own original research.
ASPIRE (Aspiring Scientists Participating In Research and Education) Teams
Faculty submitting research proposals requiring broader impacts and plans for dissemination of their research to P-12 students and teachers may consider creating an ASPIRE team to associate with their research laboratory. ASPIRE outreach teams are comprised of two – four undergraduate students working under the direction and leadership of a graduate student and/or post doc. The ASPIRE teams extend the research and discovery of the laboratory to middle school and high school students by creating grade-level appropriate hands-on demonstrations and laboratory experiments which are aligned with the school science curriculum. Team members conduct visits to schools where they provide content enrichment experiences and also serve as positive role models for encouraging middle and high school students to pursue study in science, technology, engineer, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. To request assistance with the development of an ASPIRE team as part of a research proposal, contact Dr. Lynn Champion, Director of the Office of Academic Outreach and Communications, College of Arts and Sciences. champion@utk.edu or 974-5332.
Initiatives Administered by Faculty and Departments in the College of Arts and Sciences
A Science Education Outreach Project for P-12 Schools: Biology in a Box
Biology in a Box is a fun and challenging way for entire schools to enhance their life sciences curriculum at all grade levels, and to encourage student interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines. The program employs a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to teach the wonders of the living world, as well as introducing the scientific methods and math skills we use to understand that world.
The University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project
Funded by the National Science Foundation
Enriching Earth Science in Rural Tennessee Middle Schools through Research-based Activities on Climate and Environmental History
The objective of this Track I GK–12 project is to bring the excitement of research to rural middle schools in east Tennessee, by linking Earth science instruction with ongoing and new University research on climate and environmental history as reconstructed from natural Earth archives including sediments, soils, tree rings, rocks, and fossils. Graduate students in the Departments of Earth and Planetary Sciences and of Geography who are studying such records of Earth history serve as GK–12 fellows in 7 schools in 4 districts in East Tennessee where they collaborate with 10 teacher partners.
UT Pro2Serve Math Contest for Tennessee High School Students
The purpose of the contest is to promote interest in mathematics among Tennessee high school students; to encourage them toward careers in mathematics; science; and engineering; and to recognize their mathematical prowess by awarding scholarships; trophies; plaques; and certificates. The contest is designed to challenge any student who has completed Algebra I; Algebra II; and Geometry although these courses are not required for contest entry. Based in the Department of Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences, the contest brings between 800-1000 student competitors to campus each year.
The Office of Academic Outreach is a Supporting Partner for the Following Initiatives Administered in Other Academic Units at UT Knoxville
Math and Science Regional Center (MSRC)
The MSRC collaborates with the College of Arts and Sciences in the center’s summer residential program to provide high school students with instruction in Arts and Sciences and mentored research experiences in faculty laboratories.
The U.S. Department of Education funds the Math and Science Regional Center to benefit students in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. This program was specifically created to help students at risk for academic hardship (potential first-generation college students and students from families who meet income guidelines established by the federal government) graduate from high school, attend college, and reach their full potential while in college. Following the 10th and 11th grade, students participate in a four-week summer residential program at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. During this program, students experience what college life is like first-hand; they live in a residence hall while taking classes in science, mathematics, English, foreign languages, and ACT preparation that will equip them for their classes in school the following year. Students are paired with University professors, graduate teaching assistants, and instructors, as well as community sponsors, to work on comprehensive mathematical and scientific research.
Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (TLSAMP)
The College of Arts and Sciences is collaborating with the College of Engineering to represent the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in the Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (TLSAMP). The National Science Foundation funds TLSAMP, a state-wide organization, in an effort to help participating colleges and universities increase enrollment and graduation rates of underrepresented ethnic minorities in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.