Pretty much anyone! As long as you can connect your work to science, technology, engineering, art, or math, you are welcome to join the festival!

Past event hosts have included museums, libraries, STEM centers, airports, community groups, homeschool groups, tourist attractions, park systems, cultural institutions, universities, college clubs, and elementary schools.

Any event that connects people to an aspect of STEAM during the festival dates qualifies for the festival.

Examples of past events include planetarium shows, science demonstrations, tours, hikes, park clean-ups, science fairs, telescope viewings, guided workshops, theater productions, lectures, movie screenings, showcases, virtual symposiums, and community art projects.

If you are interested in participating as an event host, but need some help coming up with an event that aligns with your organization, please reach out to Sarah Hicks. She would be more than happy to assist you in developing some potential options.

We recognize that organizations have differing missions, budgets, and capacities. Because of this, we try to put as few parameters on these events as possible so you can personalize your event to your organization.

You get to determine the location of your event, the time and duration, whether or not you will have capacity limits or pre-registrations, how much to charge for your event, etc.

All we ask is that you promote that your event is part of the Tennessee STEAM Festival and encourage your guests to complete our survey. Advertising your participation in the festival gives your guests the opportunity to participate in more festival programming. The survey data provides us with valuable insight into the overall reach of the festival.

Simply fill out this Google Form. You can also access the form via the “SUBMIT YOUR EVENT” buttons on this page.

The form will open in June. It only takes about 5 minutes to complete.

Featured Events are standout events that rotate each year. It’s our way of recognizing events that embody the spirit of the Tennessee STEAM Festival. Everyone is welcome to apply to be a Featured Event, whether this is your first or tenth time participating in the festival.

Featured Events receive additional marketing through our social media, recognition in the printed festival guide and on the “Featured Event” page of the website, and additional print materials to promote their participation in the festival.

The Featured Event application is built into the Tennessee STEAM Festival Event Application. After filling out your event information, you will be asked if you would like to be considered for a Featured Event. Selecting “yes” will take you to an additional application page. The questions on this page include:

• The mission of the Tennessee STEAM Festival is to connect our community to the boundless possibilities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math and help to nurture a culture of curiosity and thoughtful interaction with our world.
  The vision of the Tennessee STEAM Festival is to showcase our community as a destination for innovation and growth through our commitment to building interest and excitement in STEAM learning and careers.
  How does your event connect to the mission and vision of the Tennessee STEAM Festival?

• Is your event special for/specific to the Tennessee STEAM Festival (in contrast to being part of your regular programming)?

• How does your event demonstrate strong, clear, and direct connections to science, technology, engineering, art, or math?

• How does your event make connections between the activity offered and possible careers associated with the experience?

Selections for the yearly Featured Events will be based on the responses to their questions.

If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to Sarah Hicks.

Premier Partners are recognized by invitation only. This designation is reserved for event hosts who have been outstanding partners in the past and who embody the mission and vision of the TN STEAM Festival all year long.

Regional Ambassadors act as a “hub” for the TN STEAM Festival in their local community. These partners are asked to help recruit additional event hosts each year to spread the reach and awareness of the festival.

There is currently a limit of two Ambassadors per region (two in West TN, one in Middle TN, and two in East TN). If you have a passion for STEAM and are interested in partnering with us as a Regional Ambassador, please reach out to Sarah Hicks.

It’s completely free! The only costs you will incur are the ones related to your event.

May: “Save the Dates” are emailed to all past participants

June: The Tennessee STEAM Festival Event Application opens

June-July: Applications for Featured Events are open

August 2: Applications for Featured Events close (the application to participate in the festival as an Event Host remains open throughout the entirety of the festival)

September 1: This is the cut-off date to submit your application if you want your event to be included in our printed Festival Guide. Events submitted after this date will be attended to the website but will NOT be included in the printed Festival Guide.

October 9-25: The Tennessee STEAM Festival commences!

We have curated our Host Kit to provide event hosts with materials to easily promote their event and involvement in the TN STEAM Festival.

We have answers! Contact Sarah Hicks for all of your TN STEAM Festival related quandaries.