Every February, undergraduate STEM researchers from across the State of Tennessee convene at the State Capitol to share their projects with state legislators. In its 19th year, the Tennessee STEM Education Center at Middle Tennessee State University will be hosting Posters at the Capitol for undergraduate students to share STEM research with state legislators on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
“Research conducted at the University of Tennessee changes lives—from controlling a wheelchair with your mind to preventing blindness with an eyedrop. This worthy program offers an opportunity to celebrate students, faculty and staff at the University of Tennessee who are focused on addressing everyday problems with innovative solutions,” says Randy Boyd, UT president. “The projects on display, presented by undergraduate students, represent significant discovery and achievements. As researchers and scholars, these students ask “why” and figure out “how” in their various disciplines. Student discoveries impact how we live, work and understand our world, and I’m proud to share their work with our state’s leaders and the public.”
Posters at the Capitol will be held in Nashville on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Submit your abstract and application here!
The submission deadline is Friday, November 17th.
- Austin Peay State University (APSU)
- East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
- Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)
- Tennessee State University (TSU)
- Tennessee Technological University (TTU),
- University of Memphis (U of M)
- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC)
- The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)
- The University of Tennessee, Martin (UTM)
On February 1, 2006, Tennessee joined a dozen other states by exposing state legislators to undergraduate research from across the state through the first-ever Tennessee Posters at the Capitol. Undergraduate students from six Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) universities and three University of Tennessee campuses will present their research through posters at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. Legislators are encouraged to meet students from their districts and see the outstanding research being conducted by undergraduates across the state. The Posters at the Capitol project, sponsored by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the University of Tennessee system, and hosted by Middle Tennessee State University, has two goals—to expose legislators to undergraduate researchers and to expose undergraduates to their legislators. The state of Tennessee is the beneficiary of this exciting effort.
Applications are due by midnight on Friday, November 17. Applicants will be evaluated on the description of their research and its relevance to the State of Tennessee. Posters at the Capitol is hosted by the STEM Education Center at Middle Tennessee State University and is open to STEM research projects only. Accepted students will be required to attend a group orientation session and meet one-on-one with URF staff to finalize their presentation. Undergraduate Research & Fellowships will provide travel coordination and cover the cost of travel for selected students.
All times are Central Standard Time
9:15 a.m. (CST), All participants arrive at Cordell Hull Building and check-in with security.
9:35 a.m. Everyone meets at the bottom of the grand staircase for a group photo.
9:45 a.m. Group photo (with the Governor, if available)
10:00 a.m. Students arrive at Cordell Hull Rooms 8C & 8D to set up posters.
10:30 a.m. Students stand by their poster and meet with legislators or in legislators’ offices (if appointments have been made on behalf of the students)
11:30 a.m. Lunch will be brought in around this time to designated areas in the rooms with the posters. Legislators can have lunch with the students.
12:30 p.m. Students take down their posters.
1:00 p.m. Room must be clear and ready for the next event.
1:00 p.m. (optional) Participants can make appointments to meet with their legislators in their offices.