Tri-Star Tennessee: FULL STEAM AHEAD! (Smyrna)

HOST: MTSU Department of Art and Design

WHEN: Saturday, October 25th 2025, 2:00pm-4:00pm

REGION: Middle

WHERE: 300 Doug Warpoole Rd Smyrna 37167

WHAT: A juried exhibition at Smyrna’s Hollingshead Aviation Gallery, part of the Tennessee STEAM Festival. It connects art with science, technology, engineering, and math, highlighting how creative expression fuels innovation statewide, showcasing diverse media that explore Tennessee’s regional identity, cultural traditions, and visions for a forward-moving future.

Pre-registration is recommended. RSVP form at https://www.jotform.com/build/251836485333159

This exhibition will be available through January 21st 2026. Please Visit https://art.mtsu.edu/ for dates and times of related MTSU Saturdays At Todd events.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs

COST: Free to attend

WEBSITE: TBD

Solar Observing (Knoxville)

HOST: University of Tennessee Physics and Astronomy

WHEN: Sunday, October 12th 2025, 1:00pm-4:00pm Sunday, October 19th 2025, 1:00pm-4:00pm Sunday October 26th 2025, 1:00pm-4:00pm

REGION: East

WHERE: 1408 Circle Drive Knoxville 37996-1200

WHAT: Come and look at the star of our solar system, the SUN. You will have the opportunity to see the closest star to us through white light filtered, telescopes that show us surface features like sunspots, faculae, limb darkening, and through our Hydrogen alpha filters, prominences, filaments, plages spicules and maybe even a solar flare. It's safe, it's fun and you can learn a lot about our life-giving star.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs, Adults with Special Needs

COST: FREE

WEBSITE: physics.utk.edu

Costumes, Characters, and Cartoons - Spooky STEAM (Knoxville)

HOST: Tennessee Theatre

WHEN: Sunday, October 12th 2025, 10:30am-1:00pm

REGION: East

WHERE: 604 S. Gay St. Knoxville 37902

WHAT: Join us at the Tennessee Theatre from 10:30am to 1:00pm for Costumes, Characters, and Cartoons! This free event kicks off the spooky season with episodes of some of your favorite PBS Kids specials, celebrating STEAM. Plus, there will be some of your favorite PBS characters here for fun photo opportunities and a chance to show off your own costumes!

The first 30 minutes of our event (10:30am - 11:00am) will be a sensory reduced experience for any patrons with sensory processing needs.

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

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/

Memphis Parks Fall Festival (Memphis)

HOST: Memphis Parks Fall Festival

WHEN: Saturday, October 25th 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm

REGION: West

WHERE: Sea Isle Park, 5220 Sea Isle. Memphis, TN 38117

WHAT: The Second Annual Memphis Parks Fall Festival celebrates autumn’s vibrant spirit “STEM/STEAM style” - featuring science-focused community vendors, craft vendors, festive kids’ activities, live entertainment, and local food trucks. Families can also enjoy a community fitness walk amid stunning fall foliage. An engaging, educational event for all ages!

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Families

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://memphisparks.com/

Fall Colors of Sedge Hill (Ashland City)

HOST: Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

WHEN: Saturday, October 18th 2025, 9:00am-3:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 5911 Old Hickory Boulevard Ashland City TN 37015

WHAT: Witness the transitioning colors of Beaman Park’s Sedge Hill Trail.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff and Volunteers

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs, Adults with Special Needs

COST: Free

WEBSITE:

Family Movie Night: Corpse Bride (Ashland City)

HOST: Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

WHEN: Friday, October 17th 2025, 6:30pm-8:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 5911 Old Hickory Boulevard, Ashland City TN 37015

WHAT: When a shy groom practices his wedding vows in the inadvertent presence of a deceased young woman, she rises from the grave assuming he has married her.
Snacks provided. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. Inside if rain.
Sponsored by: Friends of Beaman Park and hosted by Zach Knight
Age level: 8 and up

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

COST: Free

WEBSITE:

Henry Hollow ROCKS! (Ashland City)

HOST: Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

WHEN: Thursday, October 16th 2025, 10:00am-12:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 5911 Old Hickory Boulevard, Ashland City TN 37015

WHAT: Meet at the Nature Center to hike down to the creek in Henry Hollow. We’ll observe sedimentary rock, weathering, erosion, escarpment, and more.
Leader: Heather Gallagher

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

COST: Free

WEBSITE:

Skulls (Ashland City)

HOST: Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

WHEN: Wednesday, October 15th 2025, 10:00am-12:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 5911 Old Hickory Boulevard, Ashland City TN 37015

WHAT: Learn about skulls and other bones from different types of animals. Skulls from woodchucks to deer and everything in between.
Leader: Isaiah Francescon
Age level: 8 and up

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

COST: Free

WEBSITE:

Kids’ Survival Skills (Ashland City)

HOST: Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

WHEN: Tuesday, October 14th 2025, 9:00am-12:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 5911 Old Hickory Boulevard, Ashland City TN 37015

WHAT: Participants will be introduced to skills necessary for successful, and safe excursions outdoors in this hands-on class. We will be outside the entire time so dress for the weather! Parents are required to stay for the duration of the event.
Leader: Krista Allen, Outdoor Nashville
Age level: Ages 8 and up

AUDIENCE: Youth/Teens, Adults, Senior Citizens

COST: Free

WEBSITE:

Sun Printing on a Fall Day (Ashland City)

HOST: Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation

WHEN: Saturday, October 11th 2025, 11:00am-1:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 5911 Old Hickory Boulevard, Ashland City TN 37015

WHAT: Meet us in front of the Nature Center to cast fall shadows on cyanotype paper using the power of the Sun.
Led by the Nature Center Staff

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs, Adults with Special Needs

COST: Free

WEBSITE:

Witches and Wizards Potions Workshop (Nashville)

HOST: Little Art House

WHEN: Wednesday, October 22nd 2025, 9:30am-10:15am (1-4yrs and 3-5yrs classes)
Friday, October 24th 2025, 9:30am-10:15am (3-6yr and K-3rd)
Sunday, October 26th 2025, 9:30am-10:15am

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 2106B Acklen Ave Nashville TN 37212

WHAT: Unleash your inner alchemist at our Witches and Wizards Potions Workshop! Perfect for young sorceresses and magic makers, this unique event promises a mystical blend of calm and creativity. We'll start with a calming mindful moment to focus our magical energy, before diving into a captivating book reading that sparks the imagination. The highlight of our workshop is, of course, creating incredible, bubbling potions using a dazzling array of special, wondrous ingredients that you'll get to bring home and cherish! Prepare for a spellbinding journey into the world of creativity and magic.
Pre-registration is required

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Families

COST: $25
Pre-registration is required

WEBSITE: https://www.littlearthousestudios.com

Workshop: Accelerate with Chinese YoYo! Sum up with Abacus! (Nashville)

HOST: Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville

WHEN: Saturday, October 11th 2025, 10:00am-11:00am
Friday. October 17th 2025, 1:00pm-2:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
1900 Davidson St, Nashville TN 37206

WHAT: This workshop shows children how to add using a Chinese abacus as well as more advanced calculations from physics like speed, acceleration, motion, and balance. That abacus provides hands-on experience and a way to make calculations easier. We use Chinese yo-yo to help students see these concepts in action. The Chinese yo-yo is a Chinese children's game that has evolved into a performing arts form.
Pre-registration is required: https://www.chineseartsalliance.org/events-1/2025/10/11/accelerate-with-chinese-yoyo-sum-up-with-abacus

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Families

COST: Free; pre-registration is required

WEBSITE: www.ChineseArtsAlliance.org

Fossils at the Fort (Nashville)

HOST: Fort Negley Park

WHEN: Saturday, October 25th 2025, 10:00am-1:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 1100 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville TN 37203

WHAT: Fossils at the Fort is an exploration of Middle Tennessee's limestone landscapes, how they got that way, and the 400-million-year-old marine life fossils found here. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities and also dig for fossils to take home.

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

COST: Free

WEBSITE: fortnegley.nashville.gov

Explore the Arts at Frist Art Museum (Nashville)

HOST: Frist Art Museum

WHEN: Friday, October 10th 2025, 10:00am-5:30pm
Saturday, October 11th 2025, 10:00am-5:30pm
Sunday, October 12th 2025, 1:00pm-5:30pm
Monday, October 13th 2025, 10:00am-5:30pm
Thursday, October 16th 2025, 10:00am-8:00pm
Friday, October 17th 2025, 10:00am-5:30pm
Saturday, October 18th 2025, 10:00am-5:30pm
Sunday, October 19th 2025, 1:00pm-5:30pm
Monday, October 20th 2025, 10:00am-5:30pm
Thursday, October 23rd 2025, 10:00am-8:00pm
Friday, October 24th 2025, 10:00am-5:30pm
Saturday, October 25th 2025, 10:00am-5:30pm
Sunday, October 26th 2025, 1:00pm-5:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37205

WHAT: Visit the Frist Art Museum and explore the award-winning Martin ArtQuest®. This inclusive and interactive art-making space is for guests of all ages where they can be creative with activities that delight and inspire. ArtQuest's accessible art-making stations offer you an opportunity to draw, animate, make prints, paint, and more—and discover your unique talents and celebrate your creative energy, and just have fun!

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families

COST: Adults: $20; Children 18 years of age and younger: Free

WEBSITE: FristArtMuseum.org

To the Moon and Back - Artemis 2 (Springfield)

HOST: Gateway STEM Center

WHEN: Friday, October 24th 2025, 10:00am-7:00pm
Saturday, October 25th 2025, 10:00am-7:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 4917 Highway 41N, Springfield TN 37172

WHAT: Two days of events focused on NASA’s upcoming Artemis 2 mission to the Moon. Explore a mockup of part of the Orion capsule donated by NASA. Investigate what it takes to survive in space and return safely through a variety of hands on activities, including an egg drop.

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Senior Citizens, Children/Youth with Special Needs, Adults with Special Needs

COST: $7/person, ages 3 and under are free.
Preregistration is required. Register at https://www.gatewaystemcenter.com/shows, no deadline to register

WEBSITE: www.gatewaystemcenter.org

Scopes at 100: What does history tell us about science and religion? (Murfreesboro)

HOST: Middle Tennessee State University

WHEN: Thursday, October 16th 2025, 6:00-7:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 422 Old Main Circle, Murfreesboro, TN 37132
MTSU Wiser-Patten Science Hall, Room 102

WHAT: This public lecture at MTSU is sponsored the Distinguished Lecture Fund, the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, the Nashville Section of the American Chemical Society and the Tennessee Academy of Science. Nicholas Spencer is Senior Fellow at the Theos Think Tank in London, England. He is the author of a number of books including Darwin and God and most recently Magisteria: The Entangled Histories of Science and Religion.

AUDIENCE: Youth/Teens, Adults, Senior Citizens

COST: Free and open to the public

WEBSITE: mtsu.edu

TRCreator Lab: Build a Bot, From Zero to Hero (Murfreesboro)

HOST: Tennessee Robotics Center (TRC)

WHEN: Saturday, October 18th 2025, 9:00am-3:00pm

REGION: Middle

WHERE: 2231 NW Broad St, Ste D Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (Go Around Back)

WHAT: Join us for an electrifying day of innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning labs at our STEAM Festival: Build a Bot, From Zero to Hero! Whether you're a curious beginner or a budding robotics engineer, this event is your launchpad into the world of robotics and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math).

🔧 What to Expect:
Bot-Building labs: Learn the basics of robotic systems and build your own bot from scratch—no experience needed! (Age appropriate robotics activities)
Tech Demos & Exhibits: Explore cutting-edge tech and creative robotics projects from our students
STEAM Stations: Dive into interactive and artistic activities that blend science, art, and engineering.
Mini Challenges & Prizes: Test your bot in fun competitions and win cool prizes!

Come build, learn, and be inspired as we take you from Zero to Hero in the world of robots. Let’s spark curiosity, fuel creativity, and celebrate the power of STEAM together!

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families, Children/Youth with Special Needs
🎯 Who Should Attend?
Students (Grades K–12)
Educators & Parents
Hobbyists & Tinkerers
Anyone curious about robotics and STEAM!

COST: $35/hr to attend a TRCreator workshop: Time slots are 9:30-11:00, 11:30-1:00, and 1:30-3:00. Participants can also purchase from our selection of TRCreator Kits, robots, tools, and other educational products from our GearShop. We will also have T-shirts and other TRC gear for sale for visitors to purchase to support the program.
Register and pay for a time slot on our website: www.tennesseeroboticscenter.com

WEBSITE: https://www.TennesseeRoboticsCenter.com

UoM Lambuth M. D. Anderson Planetarium Special Event: TN STEAM Festival: Cosmic Dawn Screening (Jackson)

HOST: University of Memphis Lambuth M. D. Anderson Planetarium

WHEN: Saturday, October 18th 2025, 10:00am-12:00pm

REGION: West

WHERE: 299 Maple Street Jackson TN 38301

WHAT: Join us at the University of Memphis Lambuth M. D. Anderson Planetarium for a very special event for the TN STEAM Festival: a screening of the new NASA documentary, Cosmic Dawn on Saturday, October 18 at 10:00 a.m. See the story of the incredible James Webb Space Telescope from the very beginning and get to know the people who made it happen

UofM Lambuth M. D. Anderson Facebook Online Events Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2737213013238000

No entrance fee, free parking in Hyde lot (across the street from the Planetarium). Doors open 15 minutes before showtime. For safety reasons, no seating once IN USE lights are on, and no food or drink in the auditorium. For more information, call 731.425.7368 or email planetarium@memphis.edu.

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

COST: FREE

WEBSITE: https://www.memphis.edu/lambuth/newsevents/index.php?_ga=2.89197147.1581343461.1753285912-1075583952.1753285912

FALLing for STEAM (Knoxville)

HOST: Muse Knoxville

WHEN: Friday, October 10th 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm Saturday, October 11th 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm Sunday, October 12th 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm Monday, October 13th 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm Tuesday, October 14th 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm Wednesday, October 15th 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm Thursday, October 16th 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm Friday, October 17th 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm

REGION: East

WHERE: 516 N. Beaman St. Knoxville TN 37914

WHAT: This Autumn, we're FALLing for STEAM at Muse Knoxville! Enjoy quintessential Fall-time table top STEAM activities and weekly programming takeover with us!

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

COST: Included with admission

WEBSITE: www.themuseknoxville.org

Muse Robotics Festival (Knoxville)

HOST: Muse Knoxville

WHEN: Friday, October 10th 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm

REGION: East

WHERE: 516 N. Beaman St. Knoxville TN 37914

WHAT: Join us for our Robotics Festival and discover what the future of robotics has in store for young minds! All day, you'll have the opportunity to interact with local area organizations as they educate kiddos on the different areas of STEAM using robots!

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

COST: Included with admission

WEBSITE: www.themuseknoxville.org