TN Rural STEM Collaborative

Tennessee Rural S T E M Collaborative


Designed for Educators, by Educators

Leadership Practices

Knowledge Sharing

Network Building


About the Tennessee Rural STEM Collaborative

The Tennessee Rural STEM Collaborative (TRSC) is a year-long cohort of educators from across Tennessee that works towards ensuring that all students have access to high-quality learning opportunities in STEM by exposing them to 21st Century Skills and local STEM career pathways. 


Cohort members interact with work-alike groups that concentrate on a specific area of focus: Community & Post Secondary Partnerships, STEM Integrated Curriculum & Instruction, Family Engagement, Career Awareness, and Computer Science Integrated Curriculum & Instruction. For each area of focus, participants will engage in targeted professional development and have the opportunity to meet experts in the field. 


You can read teacher perspectives of the program here


Educators receive a $600 stipend for participating and an additional $300 towards classroom implementation funds. 


Applications for the 2024-2025 cohort of the TN Rural STEM Collaborative will open July 22, 2024 and close August 12, 2024.


Read about the newest cohort on our blog.


Apply for the TN Rural STEM Collab Here Rural STEM Toolkit

Program Kick-off

September 25-26, 2023


Meeting Type: In-person

Where: Nashville, TN



Regional Meetings

Mark your calendars.


Meeting Type: Virtual

West Cohort Date:

February 26, 2024

Central Cohort Date:

February 27, 2024

East Cohort Date:

February 28, 2024


Important Dates & Events

Project Information


Book Study Zoom Call:

November 9, 2023 &

January 22, 2024


Testimonial

"Our goal was to increase STEM awareness AND participation with our students, parents and community members. For the first time in 2 years, our school was open for in-person Parent Teacher Conferences. We used those events to connect with our community. We setup a STEM table in the lobby with information and kits for every family. As families finished their conferences, they were asked to take the kits home and complete the challenge as a family.  Our students LOVED getting to work with their parents and siblings. For our final STEM kit, we gave every family a kit and a link to Family STEM Night with Expeditions in Education. Our district was on spring break but lots of our Wildcats were online with their families learning about a national park and completing a STEM challenge with Dr. Drizzle. 

Thank you for this additional funding. We were able to engage our students and our community throughout the year. It was a STEM-tastic opportunity. "

-LeAnn Simmerman, J.E. Woodard Elementary, Maury County Public Schools

Thoughtful Design

The Collaborative is designed to:

Deepen knowledge in STEM educational issues and exercise educator voice and perspective to bring positive change within your community

Identify assets within your community that can support high quality STEM education and work-based learning

Expand your sphere of influence within your school, district, and region

Develop targeted solutions that build upon assets and address current challenges within your community

FAQ's


Do you have questions? We have answers.

  • Who can apply?

    This program is open to K-12 public school teachers of any subject interested in learning more about STEM educational issues and developing solutions to those issues specific to their students and communities. 

  • When does the application open and close?

    Applications open June 22, 2023 and close July 20, 2023.  Applicants will be notified of their application status by July 31, 2023.

  • Do I have to be from a STEM School to participate?

    Participants do not have to be from a STEM school or have a STEM program already in place to participate in the institute. Read more about the teachers that participated in the 2019-20 program here

  • Is there a cost to participate in the Rural Collaborative?

    The TRSC is offered at no cost to participants. Teachers receive a $600 stipend for their work.

  • Still have questions?

    We're here to support you. 

    Contact Kristin McQueen at mcqueenk@battelle.org.

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