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!

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/

Virtual Symposium: Archaeology and Science

HOST: The Parthenon

WHEN: Sunday, October 20th, 10:00-11:00am

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Virtual - Zoom

WHAT: Join the Parthenon for a virtual talk in honor of International Archeology Day, about the intersection of science, archaeology and anthropology, by Dr. Kaitlyn Stiles. Dr. Stiles is an archaeologist, osteologist and anthropologist who has done research in Greece, Poland, Egypt and the United States.

Pre-registration required here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GwcLqYTgTc-3mWwwipI9yg#/registration
Link also available on the Parthenon event calendar

AUDIENCE: Adults

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.nashvilleparthenon.com/

Measuring Early Interest in Science

HOST: Little Learners Lab/TN Girls Collaborative

WHEN: Wednesday, October 23rd, 12:00-1:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Zoom (live streaming)
https://vanderbilt.zoom.us/j/91228071490?pwd=U6y8XZcrgs4lHuZtG7X6iJgQhqpOSK.1

WHAT: In this seminar, researchers from the Little Learners Laboratory at Vanderbilt University will describe challenges and recent successes in measuring very early interest in science. Implications for evaluating the impact of early experiences and interventions will be discussed. The session will culminate in a Q & A open to all attendees.

AUDIENCE: Adults

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://my.vanderbilt.edu/littlelearnerslab/
https://ngcproject.org/about/collaboratives/tennessee-girls-collaborative-project

Bringing AI to Life: Safely Teaching AI Concepts

HOST: Learning Blade

WHEN: Monday, October 14th, 3:15-3:45pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: Zoom Registration: https://edynamiclearning.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsdOmprTMrHd0fE4fd4tUlw1Oh4LGKAkRj

WHAT: Explore Learning Blade’s new AI module, designed to safely introduce students to fundamental AI concepts such as machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing. This session will showcase how to engage students in the ethical implications of AI and spark interest in Tennessee's growing STEAM career opportunities.
TN teachers can sign up for a Learning Blade account at www.LearningBlade.com/TN

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth, Teens, Adults

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.edynamiclearning.com/learning-blade/

Meet the Astronomer Evening

HOST: Vanderbilt University Dyer Observatory

WHEN: Thursday, October 17th, 7:00-9:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Dyer Observatory, 1000 Oman Drive, Brentwood TN 37027

WHAT: Our signature event! Browse our exhibits, enjoy an astro talk with Q&A, and view the sky through the historic Seyfert Telescope. Suggested for teens to adults. Telescope viewing is dependent on the weather. If the event says sold out, sign up for the waitlist for a possible second ticket release.

The virtual event will be available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dyerobservers live stream.

Registration required to attend in person.

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

COST: $7.18 to attend live. Online talk is free.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/vanderbilt-university-dyer-observatory-2143130631

WEBSITE: dyer.vanderbilt.edu

Creating Equitable Environments for STEM Education

HOST: Tennessee Girls Collaborative

WHEN: Tuesday, October 15th, 5:00-6:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Zoom
Registration is required: https://rcschools.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkceChqT4rHNa2Va-3tg8C-pZ84d4sHCHy

WHAT: Learn strategies to help increase equity in STEM education environments. This webinar will be virtual only and is open to all adults who work with kids learning Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering and can be applied to STEM or coding environments. The webinar will be recorded.

AUDIENCE: Adults, Families

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://ngcproject.org/about/collaboratives/tennessee-girls-collaborative-project

BGCRC STEAM Fest!

HOST: Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County

WHEN: Thursday, October 17th, 6:30-8:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 820 Jones Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN 37129

WHAT: Murfreesboro BGC will be opening our Club to showcase to our parents, families and community partners our art and science programming through displays and demonstrations! You will be able to see past work from our members, see demos of some of our tech and participate in hands on activities!

Virtual event will be available on Facebook & Instagram

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.bgcrc.net

Preschool STEM Workshop: Community Mapping

HOST: EC STEM Lab

WHEN: Thursday, October 26th, 10:00-11:00am

REGION: East Tenneessee

WHERE: Virtual

WHAT: Join us for a FREE STEM workshop designed for preschool educators! We will meet on Zoom as we explore community-connected STEM and discuss the what, why, & how of community mapping.
Register: https://etsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkceGhqjIuGdOKiwB05EZ02pvQuuGXM4Qz#/registration

AUDIENCE: Adults

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.ecstemlab.com