EAST TN

Atomic Education Summit (Oak Ridge)

HOST: American Museum of Science and Energy

WHEN: Wednesday, October 22nd 2025, 9:00am-7:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge TN 37830

WHAT: A day dedicated to K-12 and Secondary Education
School Field Trips are available 9:00-2:00
Educator Profession Development Opportunities 2:00-4:00
Student Demonstrations and Showcase 4:00-7:00

AUDIENCE: Children, Youth/Teens, Adults, Families

COST: Free

WEBSITE: amse.org

Paddle on Chickamauga Lake (Harrison)

HOST: Tennessee State Parks

WHEN: Saturday, October 25th 2025, 9:30am-12:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: Harrison Bay Recreation Hall
7855 Bay Marina Circle, Harrison TN 37341

WHAT: Join TN State Parks as we celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math during the TN STEAM Festival! Participants will have the opportunity to paddle on Chickamauga Lake with a Park Ranger and learn the science of waves. This event will be organized into three parts: the science of waves, water safety, and the paddle experience. We will cover fourth grade science standards before our paddle on the lake, learning about amplitude, wavelength, refraction, the types of waves, and how waves travel. We will then discuss how to stay safe during our paddle; Park Rangers will demonstrate proper water safety techniques and how to paddle the canoe or kayak. We will paddle along Chickamauga Lake, observing the wildlife and natural scenery and connecting our earlier lessons to the recreational activity of water sports. You can come prepared for this event by bringing a notebook and writing utensil, wearing weather appropriate clothing, and bringing a reusable water bottle and snacks. Enthusiasm for science and recreation is also appreciated. Registration is required to participate. Life jackets are required while on the water; you may bring your own life jacket or borrow one from the park. Please, no pets. "

AUDIENCE: Youth/Teens
Chickamauga Lake is a navigable waterway along the Tennessee River, therefore, vessels including recreational boats, paddleboats, powerboats, and large ships use the lake. We will not be paddling in the open water area, instead we will use the cove area near Harrison Bay State Park to minimize the risk of interacting with large vessels. Water safety protocols will be demonstrated for all park guests before entering the water. Park Rangers will ask participants to demonstrate that they understand the safety protocols by reciting the protocols or physically demonstrating how to use the park equipment properly.

To use the paddle boats (canoes and/or kayaks) a person must be able to maneuver themselves inside of the boat and sit in an upright position for a period of time from 1-1.5 hours. Paddling a boat requires the use of upper body muscles and joints as well as core muscles. People with limited mobility in their hands, wrists, shoulders, or hips may find it difficult to use a paddle boat.

The portion of this event which includes the STEAM lesson and the Water Safety lesson will take place indoors at the Rec Hall. This space is covered and has heat and AC. The lesson will cover the fourth grade science standards for waves (4.PS4: Waves and their Application in Technologies for Information Transfer) through interactive mediums and a PowerPoint presentation. The lesson will last approximately 30-40 minutes. Participants may be asked to sit, stand, kneel, or walk at different points of the lesson.

If you have any questions about accessibility for this program please direct questions to Leigh.Gardner@tn.gov.

COST: Free (donations accepted)
Pre-registration is required

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StarWatch (Kingsport)

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HOST: Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium

WHEN: Saturday, October 11th 2025, 7:30pm-9:00pm
Saturday, October 18th 2025, 7:30pm-9:00pm
Saturday, October 25th 2025, 7:30pm-9:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 853 Bays Mountain Park Rd., Kingsport TN 37660

WHAT: Come and enjoy the celestial delights of the night sky at Bays Mountain's Observatories. Attendees can typically see star clusters, nebulous gas clouds, colorful multiple-star systems, distant galaxies and the Moon and planets when visible. An alternate program will take place in the Planetarium Theater in case of poor weather.

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

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.baysmountain.com

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Monster Bash (Chattanooga)

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HOST: Creative Discovery Museum

WHEN: Friday, October 10th 2025, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Saturday, October 11th 2025, 6:00pm-8:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 321 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga TN 37402

WHAT: Celebrate Halloween with TWO NIGHTS of family-friendly fun! Our most anticipated Halloween party returns to Creative Discovery Museum—costumes, crafts, critters, and just the right amount of spooky. Come play in your favorite kid-friendly costumes, create, and make memories that are s’more fun than you can handle. Ghoulishly good fun awaits, including special character guests, creepy crawly critter from the Tennessee Aquarium, Halloween Bingo, monster putt putt, a bonfire with s'mores, and more!

Pre-registration is required. Tickets can be purchased online at cdmfun.org until the day of the event (unless sold out).

AUDIENCE: Children, Families

COST: General Admission: $22, CDM member admission: $10

WEBSITE: cdmfun.org

Chemistry Day (Chattanooga)

HOST: Creative Discovery Museum

WHEN: Saturday, October 18th 2025, 9:00am-5:00pm

REGION: East

WHERE: 321 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga TN 37402

WHAT: Celebrate National Chemistry Week with Creative Discovery Museum! Discover the hidden world of spices with lessons in the kitchen and other unique uses of spices, like art-making and chemical testing.

AUDIENCE: Children, Families

COST: Museum admission - $19.95

WEBSITE: cdmfun.org

National Fossil Day Family Pop-in Workshop (Gray)

HOST: Hands On! Discovery Center

WHEN: Wednesday, October 15th 2025, 1:30pm-4:30pm

REGION: East

WHERE: 1212 Suncrest Drive, Gray TN 37615

WHAT: Stop by between 1:30 and 4:30 (while supplies last) to examine real fossils on National Fossil Day with a “picking” activity featuring fossil-rich sediment from Aurora, NC*. Play our Fossil or Fake game and use plaster to create your own fossil cast replica to take home. Children must be supervised at all times. (*All fossils and sediment must remain on site for scientific research purposes.) Purchase your ticket for these activities online at least one week prior to the program to receive the early bird discount. Visit the front desk the day of the program for availability of supplies. Supplies are limited and purchasing ahead is highly recommended.

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

COST: *Early Bird-$5/participant for HODC members and $7/participant for non-members *At the door- $7/participant for HODC members and $9/participant for non-members

WEBSITE: visithandson.org

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Spice it Up! Discovery Lab Program (Gray)

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HOST: Hands On! Discovery Center

WHEN: October 10th-26th 2025
Programs by announcement periodically throughout each day.

REGION: East

WHERE: 1212 Suncrest Drive, Gray TN 37615

WHAT: Join Hands On! Discovery Center to explore the chemical properties that contribute to the unique properties of kitchen spices in recognition of National Chemistry Week’s 2025 theme, "The Hidden Life of Spices". Discovery Lab programs announced periodically throughout each day. FREE with paid general admission. (*This program contains food allergens such as wheat, nuts, and a variety of spices including cinnamon, black pepper, mustard, onion, garlic, etc.)

Additional program dates available at visithandson.org

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

COST: Free with paid general admission.

WEBSITE: visithandson.org

Space Explorers Pop-up Program (Gray)

HOST: Hands On! Discovery Center

WHEN: Saturday, October 4th - Friday, October 10th 2025
Programs by announcement periodically throughout the day

REGION: East

WHERE: 1212 Suncrest Drive, Gray TN 37615

WHAT: To Hands On! Discovery Center and beyond, for World Space Week! Try your hand at the Deep Impact Simulation challenge. Then, design and build a simple model spacecraft and complete a series of tests to ensure you are ready for launch. Can your spacecraft withstand the vibration of launch and the spin of navigating through space? (*This program contains food allergens such as wheat, corn, and traces of nuts.) Programs by announcement periodically throughout each day. FREE with paid general admission.

Additional program dates available at visithandson.org

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

COST: Free with paid general admission.

WEBSITE: visithandson.org

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October Art Studio Programs (Gray)

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HOST: Hands On! Discovery Center

WHEN: October 10th-26th 2025,
Tuesdays - Saturdays - 9:00am-5:00pm
Sundays - 1:00pm-5:00pm

REGION: East

WHERE: 1212 Suncrest Drive, Gray TN 37615

WHAT: Join Hands On! Discovery Center for Pablo Picasso inspired cubism drawings, Frida Kahlo inspired Day of the Dead collages, bug and insect plate rubbings, and crayon resist watercolor eerie mansions. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided. FREE with paid general admission

Additional program dates available at visithandson.org

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

COST: Free with paid general admission.

WEBSITE: visithandson.org

BOO!SEUM (Gray)

HOST: Hands On! Discovery Center

WHEN: Thursday, October 23rd 2025, 5:30pm-7:30pm

REGION: East

WHERE: 1212 Suncrest Drive, Gray TN 37615

WHAT: Join Hands On! Discovery Center for a spook-tacular, but not too scary, evening of fun and science! This annual Halloween themed event includes experiments, candy, arts and crafts, games, and exploration time in the museum. More details at visithandson.org.

Be sure to wear your most festive costume and bring your own trick-or-treat bag! Stay tuned to our website and social media for more details. (***Contains small parts and food allergens. While supplies last.)
Be sure to check out our Facebook event and website for updates and reminders!

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

COST: Pricing information at visithandson.org

WEBSITE: https://visithandson.org/

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Solar Observing (Knoxville)

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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 TN 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/

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FALLing for STEAM (Knoxville)

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HOST: Muse Knoxville

WHEN: Friday, October 10th - 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