Center of Excellence in STEM Education

09/17/2026

We are so excited to welcome Jackie Morgan for our upcoming NE TN STEM Hub Regional Meeting on October 6! Jackie will present two sessions during the meeting. This meeting is FREE and registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-2026-northeast-tn-stem-innovation-hub-regional-gathering-tickets-1985527210335

A bit more about Jackie.
Jackie Morgan, Outreach Senior Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta – Nashville Branch, is an established communicator and proven leader in economic and financial education strategy, policy, development, and training.

A sought-after professional for her expertise, Morgan serves as board member and is a past president of the Tennessee Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, which has been recognized twice as the State Coalition of the Year by National Jump$tart. Additionally, she was appointed to the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission, Nashville Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, and the Middle Tennessee State University Jones College of Business Dean’s Executive Advisory Council.

Active in the community, Morgan serves on the boards of the Murfreesboro Center for the Arts and Read to Succeed, is past president of RUTHERFORD Cable. Morgan has been recognized with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President’s Award for Excellence and MTSU’s True Blue Citation of Distinction – Achievement in Education.

09/08/2026

Local treasure ❤️

Congratulations to Dr. Laura Robertson, who received ETSU’s 2026 Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching – the university’s highest honor for faculty in teaching.

Robertson’s students describe her courses as “highly engaging, meaningful and transformative,” and they appreciate her enthusiasm and ability to make complex scientific concepts easy to understand. One of her favorite things is learning that a student who previously disliked the STEM fields discovered a love of science and developed enthusiasm and confidence in teaching it. bit.ly/46R284Q

09/08/2026

Great opportunity this week!

🦉🐦 Why do animals look and act the way they do?

Join us for 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀 and discover how animals use special physical features and behaviors to find food, find a mate and survive!

Using birds as our comparison species, we’ll explore the why behind some of their amazing differences and learn how adaptations help animals thrive. 🪶🔍

📅 Saturday, Sept. 12
🕙 10–11:15 a.m. or 12:30–1:45 p.m.
📍 Jacob’s Nature Park Outdoor Classroom
1919 Ocala St.
💲 FREE!
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages welcome

🚗 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗶 𝗗𝗿. 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟮𝟮𝟬 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗥𝗱., 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺.

Come learn, explore and discover the incredible adaptations all around us!

| Johnson City Schools

09/04/2026

⭐️ GRANT OPPORTUNITY⭐️
The TNGC is now accepting applications for $200 seed grants.

Grant winners will be selected based on their ideas to utilize IF/THEN resources to help girls in STEM.

Applicants can attend a "Coffee Chat" with TNGC on Sept 9 that will be recorded and provide more details about the resources and funding.

Virtual Coffee Chat ☕️ -
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rKfz4OVKR1i0bXOtKGScEA #/registration

🕦Timing: Submit the short, easy application by 9/14/2026, hear back by 9/30/2026.

Plan to attend the TNGC Convening (fee waived for seed grant applicants) at Northeast State Community College on Oct 30 from 8am to 12pm. See our last post for more details.

⭐️ Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoi-4DYrp7UnG1OZW5DlQh4XeFtsvxuJkgWJX9N922tl6ZeQ/viewform

09/04/2026

✨ Calling all advocates, teachers, and supports of girls in STEM!! ✨

The convening of the Tennessee Girls Collaborative will be held at NESCC, Blountville. This event will feature speakers, resources, and networking.

📅 Friday, October 30th
🕦 8:00am-12:00pm

Registration is now open. Scan the QR or use this link:
https://ngcproject.regfox.com/tncon2026

Questions? Email [email protected]

09/01/2026

Our Lending Library is officially open for the 2026-2027 school year!
We have a wide variety of items at five different locations across Northeast Tennessee we’re looking to lend out to classrooms.
Scan the QR code for more info, or check out our website here:

https://sites.google.com/view/etsuceselendinglibrary/home

09/01/2026

Why Didn’t I Do This Sooner?

Join Annette True and Jessica Holloway for a hands-on AI workshop during our Fall Regional STEM Innovation Hub Meeting! Explore how AI learns, then put it to work creating an engaging, classroom-ready lesson you can actually use.

📅 October 6 | TCAT Elizabethton
✨ Separate registration is required for this workshop and spaces are limited!

REGISTER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrmg9NGJlPyy2cAKONT0VgzG_igr4Lup-nJIcJnYr4KVAqUQ/viewform

Bring an idea. Build a lesson. Leave with practical tools to save time and support student learning!

Learn more about our Fall Hub Meeting Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-2026-northeast-tn-stem-innovation-hub-regional-gathering-tickets-1985527210335

08/13/2026

Our Mini-Grant Program is BACK! 🎉 After an incredible response last year, we are excited to announce that applications are now open for our 2026-2027 Mini-Grant Program!

These mini-grants are designed to support educators in bringing innovative STEM ideas to life, whether that means trying something new, expanding an existing project, or creating more meaningful STEM learning opportunities for students.

Deadline to submit applications: September 7
Awards of up to $500 in materials given to each recipient
Apply and learn more here: https://forms.gle/HvaSSidKgXg4zpGU7

Last year, we were blown away by the number of applications and the creative ideas educators across our region proposed! We can't wait to see what you dream up this year :)

Please share with an educator who might have a great STEM idea waiting to happen!

08/04/2026

Check out this year's challenge prompt!! See the link in the post for more information & to get involved!!

The 2026–27 Tennessee Statewide Design Challenge is here!

TSIN is proud to once again partner with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to engage students in tackling a real-world challenge with lasting impact.

The Statewide Design Challenge empowers students to apply STEM skills, think creatively, and develop solutions that can make a difference for Tennessee's natural resources and communities.

Learn more about the 2027 Statewide Design Challenge and how to get involved: https://www.tsin.org/statewide-design-challenge/

08/04/2026

Know someone looking for a meaningful opportunity in outdoor education?

The Earth School at Fauna Forest Farm is hiring an Earth School Instructor to facilitate hands-on learning experiences with children through nature connection, science and ecology, gardening, storytelling, outdoor exploration, and nature-based arts and crafts.

This is a wonderful opportunity for someone passionate about early childhood, environmental education, or nature-based STEM learning.

Learn more about the program here: https://www.faunaforestfarm.org/earthschool

Please see the attached flyer for additional details and application information, and feel free to share with anyone who may be interested!