Work It Out @ Linebaugh (Murfreesboro)

HOST: Linebaugh Public Library

WHEN: Monday, October 7th, 10:00-11:00am: Introduction to CT for Families
Tuesday, October 8th, 11:00am-4:30pm: CT Corner Makerspace
Wednesday, October 9th, 10:00-11:00am: Work It Out Wombats! Storytime
Thursday, October 10th, 11:00am-4:30pm: CT Corner Makerspace
Friday, October 11th, 10:00=11:30am: Create, Test, Improve, and Celebrate!

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 105 W Vine St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130

WHAT: Join us at Linebaugh every day during Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City Schools’ Fall Break October 7 – 11 for special "Work It Out Wombats!" programming! "Work It Out Wombats!" is a national PBS KIDS series for preschoolers that focuses on the computational thinking (CT) skills that are at the core of computer science.

AUDIENCE: Children, Families

COST: Free

WEBSITE: rclstn.org

STEAM Learning Center (Collierville)

HOST: Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr. Library

WHEN: Friday, October 11th - Saturday, October 27th, 10:00am-6:00pm
The STEAM Learning Center will be available throughout the TN STEAM Festival during the Library's open hours. All activities are while supplies last.

REGION: West Tennessee

WHERE: 501 Poplar View Parkway Collierville, TN 38017

WHAT: Explore the STEAM Learning Center during the Tennessee STEAM Festival, October 11-27! Located in the Children's Area, enjoy themed books, activities, and hands-on learning in science, engineering, art, and math. Topics rotate every few days, so there's always something new to discover!

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.colliervilletn.gov/library

Attires of India (Collierville)

HOST: Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr. Library

WHEN: Saturday, October 26th, 2:00-3:00pm

REGION: West Tennessee

WHERE: 501 Poplar View Parkway Collierville, TN 38017

WHAT: Discover the vibrant and diverse Attires of India with Jay Kumar on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. All ages are welcome.
Registration required. Register online at https://collierville.libnet.info/event/11848950

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.colliervilletn.gov/library

All Ages Building Day (Gray)

HOST: Washington County Public Library

WHEN: Saturday, October 19th, 12:30-2:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 5026 Bobby Hicks HWY Gray, TN 37615

WHAT: All ages are invited to build creations with LEGO and other building materials. Snacks provided. Participants can drop in any time between 12:30 and 2 p.m. to build, and library staff will do our best to put creations on display in the children's space for all to see!

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: Free

WEBSITE: wclibrarytn.org

Story Stretchers (Jonesborough)

HOST: Washington County Public Library

WHEN: Thursday, October 17th, 4:30-5:15pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 200 Sabin Drive Jonesborough, TN 37659

WHAT: Designed for ages 5-8, this story-based program serves as the bridge between younger story times and older book clubs. Children will hear stories and participate in related crafts or activities to extend the text. This month, we are reading about women in STEAM!

AUDIENCE: Children, Children/Youth with Special Needs

COST: Free

WEBSITE: wclibrarytn.org

STEAM Story Time (Gray Library)

HOST: Washington County Public Library

WHEN: Tuesday, October 15th, 11:00-11:45am

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 5026 Bobby Hicks Hwy. Gray, TN 37615

WHAT: Join us for stories that explore innovations and important STEM concepts from the depths of the sea to outer space! These story times are intended for ages 4-6 and include stories, songs, and a craft. No registration is necessary.

AUDIENCE: Children, Families, Children/Youth with Special Needs

COST: Free

WEBSITE: wclibrarytn.org

STEAM Story Time (Jonesborough Library)

HOST: Washington County Public Library

WHEN: Monday, October 14th, 6:00-6:45pm
Friday, October 18th, 11:00-11:45am

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 200 Sabin Drive Jonesborough, TN 37659

WHAT: Join us for stories that explore innovations and important STEM concepts from the depths of the sea to outer space! These story times are intended for ages 4-6 and include stories, songs, and a craft. No registration is necessary.

AUDIENCE: Children, Families, Children/Youth with Special Needs

COST: Free

WEBSITE: wclibrarytn.org

Making Spooky Keepsake Tins with Jill Mayo (Madison)

HOST: FiftyForward Madison Station

WHEN: Friday, October 25th, 12:00-3:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 530 Madison Station Blvd, Madison, TN 37115

WHAT: These stunning, hand-sculpted, hand-painted keepsake tins are made starting with the eye, and move out from there. Witches, dragons or skeletons - your choice. Beautiful and unique gifts or keepsakes. No previous experience required.
Reservations required. Sign up by October 21 by calling 615-860-7180.

AUDIENCE: Senior Citizens

COST: $25, includes all materials

WEBSITE: fiftyforward.org

Happy Doodle Day (Homeschool - Moscow)

HOST: Pinecrest Camp and Retreat Center

WHEN: Tuesday, October 15th, 10:00am-12:00pm

REGION: West Tennessee

WHERE: 21430 Hwy 57, Moscow, TN 38057

WHAT: We’ll celebrate the day that Doodle the Friendly Noodle, our official education corn snake, came to live with us at Pinecrest. Celebrate with “snakerdoodle” cookies, a snake craft, snake trivia, a herpetology walk, and silly games! We’re joining up with Little Explorers to have one big party! Want to bring a gift? Doodle loves the “small rats” from the freezer at the pet store. Recommended ages 4-7, sibs welcome. Stay after to play and picnic.
Reservations required. Space is limited.
Call 901-878-1247 or email to RSVP

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: $8/child, one adult helper free. Ages 2 and under, free. $5 Additional non-participating guests.

WEBSITE: camppinecrest.org

Happy Doodle Day! (Moscow)

HOST: Pinecrest Camp and Retreat Center

WHEN: Tuesday, October 15th, 10:00-11:30am

REGION: West Tennessee

WHERE: 21430 Hwy 57, Moscow, TN 38057

WHAT: We’ll celebrate the day that Doodle the Friendly Noodle, our official education corn snake, came to live with us at Pinecrest. Celebrate with “snakerdoodle” cookies, a snake craft, and silly games! We’re pairing this Field School to have one big party! Want to bring a gift? Doodle loves the “small rats” from the freezer at the pet store.

Reservations required. Space is limited.
Call 901-878-1247 or email to RSVP

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: $8/child, one adult helper free. Ages 2 and under, free. $5 Additional non-participating guests.

WEBSITE: camppinecrest.org

Kidsville Storytime at The Parthenon (Nashville)

HOST: Kidsville of Centennial Park Conservancy

WHEN: Saturday, October 26th, 10:30-11:30am

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: The Parthenon, 2500 West End Ave, Nashville TN 37203

WHAT: Come hear how dandelion flowers are not a trick but a treat in myths, gardens, and more, then make art inspired by amazing dandelion flowers. Wear a costume if you want.
This story time is paired with an outdoor storybook walk display of the book, Little Dandelion Seeds the World by Julia Richardson and illustrated by Kristen & Kevin Howdeshell. The book celebrates how dandelions thrive on all seven continents and are among the most resilient and adaptable blooms in the world. Book pages are displayed around Centennial Park's Lake Watauga near The Parthenon during the whole month of October.
Registration survey must be completed for free entry. Can be completed at event or prior with this survey link, https://forms.gle/rV5W1MgjX822gYDJ9

AUDIENCE: Children, Families, Children/Youth with Special Needs

COST: FREE with registration survey completion prior to entry.

WEBSITE: kidsvilleonline.org

Season for Young People Virtual Field Trips

HOST: Tennessee Performing Arts Center

WHEN: Throughout the Festival - see the website for exact performance dates and times

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Virtual

WHAT: TPAC offers Virtual Performances during the school year for those who cannot travel to our building. Virtual performances are free and available for a range of dates, usually 2-3 weeks, and are accessible with an online link. Reserving these performances allows you to use the performance link at any time during the provided date range. Please note that virtual performances are contracted for the specific provided date range, and these dates cannot be extended or changed.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens
Public Schools, Private Schools, and Homeschool Groups

COST: FREE!

WEBSITE: https://www.tpac.org/education-community/season-for-young-people/

Trees are Terrific! (Murfreesboro)

HOST: Middle Tennessee State University Center for Environmental Education

WHEN: Friday, October 11th - Sunday, October 27th, 8:30am-7:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Middle Tennessee State University; 1301 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37132

WHAT: This is a self-guided tour available anytime, but weekends are preferred due to parking restrictions. Parking is free on the weekend but during the week you need to pay for a visitor pass. Go to: https://w1.mtsu.edu/parking/visit.php

Did you know that trees are the largest organisms most of us will encounter in our lifetime? Come visit the MTSU campus in early fall to view representative native Tennessee trees, with one exception, the Ginkgo. Be advised, several of the trees have been removed due to construction or storm damage but there are still beautiful specimens to view. It is suggested you begin with the grand Tulip Poplar near the President's home, adjacent to the driveway on the campus (not from Middle Tennessee Blvd.).

An update is in process, but for a general idea of where trees are located, you can also download the Native Tree map at: https://w1.mtsu.edu/facserv/arboretum/. Tree tags also have a QR code that will provide you with a walking map to specific trees that are part of the Arboretum.

In collaboration with Vanderbilt University, a virtual tour of the campus can be experienced via: http://bioimages.vanderbilt.edu/mtsu/35

AUDIENCE: Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://w1.mtsu.edu/facserv/arboretum/

STEAMFest @ B4K (Knoxville)

HOST: Bricks 4 Kidz Knoxville

WHEN: Friday, October 11th, 1:00-2:30pm
Saturday, October 12th, 10:00am-1:00pm
Tuesday, October 15th, 1:00-2:30pm
Wednesday, October 16th. 1:00-2:30pm and 4:15-5:45pm
Thursday, October 17th, 1:00-2:30pm and 4:15-5:45pm
Friday, October 18th, 1:00-2:30pm
Saturday, October 19th, 10:00am-1:00pm
Tuesday, October 22th, 1:00-2:30pm
Wednesday, October 23th. 1:00-2:30pm and 4:15-5:45pm
Thursday, October 24th, 1:00-2:30pm and 4:15-5:45pm
Friday, October 25th, 1:00-2:30pm
Saturday, October 26th, 10:00am-1:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 9700 Kingston Pike Suite 14, Knoxville, TN, 37922

WHAT: Join us for our LEGO STEAM Sessions to challenge your Master Builders during any of our class opportunities! Week 1 focuses on the Master Builders then Week 2 our event is open to your whole family! LEGO Robotics, Coding, Technic all wrapped in Science, Tech, Engineering, Art and Math!

Register for our classes on our website! bricks4kidz.us/knoxville

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Families

COST: Starting at $29

WEBSITE: bricks4kidz.us/knoxville

Baroque (Murfreesboro)

HOST: Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta

WHEN: Sunday, October 27th, 3:00-4:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 1439 Faulkinberry Dr, Murfreesboro, TN 37132

WHAT: Join the Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 3:00 pm at MTSU’s School of Music for ‘Baroque’! Get introduced to the instruments of the orchestra with The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by Britten, and enjoy The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas, featured in Disney’s Fantasia!

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://mtsinfonietta.com

Archaeology Day (Memphis)

HOST: Chucalissa Museum

WHEN: Saturday, October 19th, 10:00am-3:00pm

REGION: West Tennessee

WHERE: 1987 Indian Village Drive Memphis TN 38109

WHAT: We'll have stations set up throughout the museum with craft activities and demonstrations, plus several timed lectures and guided tours: pottery, plant dyes, flintknapping, atlatl, chunkey, birds of prey, earthquake demo, Native American art, and more! All ages are welcome. Popcorn and hotdogs while supplies last.

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: Free

WEBSITE: memphis.edu/chucalissa

Backyard Birds & Beyond (Clarksville)

HOST: Customs House Museum & Cultural Center

WHEN: Friday, October 18th, 10:30am-3:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 200 S. Second St, Clarksville TN 37040

WHAT: Join us at the Museum for an event-filled day of discovering birds and ways to keep them safe! In partnership with Montgomery County Parks and Rec, we will identify and explore our backyard birds and learn about threats to the birds and ways to protect them and their environment. Start the day with bird watching at Rotary Park before joining the events at the Customs House Museum.

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.customshousemuseum.org

STEAM Week at Discovery Park (Union City)

HOST: Discovery Park of America

WHEN: Tuesday, October 15th - Thursday, October 17th, 11:00am-2:00pm
Friday, October 18th and Saturday, October 19th, 10:00am-2:00pm

REGION: West Tennessee

WHERE: 830 Everett Blvd. Union City, TN 38261

WHAT: Join us for a week full of fun STEAM activities at Discovery Park of America. Each day features a new theme, including "Tectonic Tuesday," "Wind-Powered Wednesday,” and “Fossil Friday.” Guests will interact with hands-on programs featuring circuit labs, hand-built wind-powered cars, and outdoor Earth science experiments.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families

COST: Free with admission to Discovery Park of America

WEBSITE: https://discoveryparkofamerica.com/event/steam-week-at-discovery-park/

STEM Exhibition (Smyrna)

HOST: Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County

WHEN: Thursday, October 17th, 4:00-6:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 198 Culbertson Street, Smyrna, TN 37167

WHAT: Youth will have the opportunity to engage in various STEM stations. We are inviting parents to participate as well

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Families

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.bgcrc.net

The Mushrooms of Beaman (Ashland)

HOST: Beaman Park Nature Center

WHEN: Saturday, October 12th, 10:00am-12:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 5911 Old Hickory Blvd, Ashland City, TN 37015

WHAT: Check out all the fungal action on Beaman’s trails with us, where we will reveal basic identification techniques as well as the ecology of mushrooms in our area. Meet at the Nature Center. Leaders: Heather Gallagher and Jackie Shea

AUDIENCE: Ages 12+

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/parks/nature-centers-and-natural-areas/beaman-park-nature-center