Knoxville, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) is inviting additional Tennessee counties to participate in the 2026-27 statewide rollout of STEMOVATE: Powering Tennessee’s Future Innovators, a hands-on STEM program designed to engage sixth-grade students in science, technology, engineering and math.
After launching this school year in 22 Tennessee counties, STEMOVATE is expanding statewide through a partnership between UT-ORII, Tennessee 4-H, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and UT-Battelle, managing contractor for Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The program’s interactive lessons focus on nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, engineering design and the effects of non-native species. All lessons align with Tennessee academic standards and emphasize workforce areas critical to Tennessee’s future.
“There is still time for counties across Tennessee to become part of this exciting statewide effort,” said Randy Boyd, president of the University of Tennessee System. “STEMOVATE is helping spark curiosity and introduce students to the kinds of STEM opportunities that will shape Tennessee’s future workforce and economy. We want every county in Tennessee to have the opportunity to participate.”
Participating teachers, 4-H agents or designated representatives attend one of five hands-on training sessions scheduled across the state August 3-7. Participants receive complete reusable lesson kits with lesson plans and all of the needed materials for the four STEM lessons, year-round support from ORISE’s team of educators who developed the lessons, and access to an online collaboration portal.
STEMOVATE was piloted during the 2024-25 school year in Crockett and Overton counties. Lessons learned from the pilot helped shape the program’s expansion into 22 counties during the 2025-26 school year. Some homeschool students also participated through Tennessee 4-H.
UT-ORII plans to make STEMOVATE available in all 95 Tennessee counties for sixth grade during the 2026-27 school year, with future expansion planned for seventh and eighth grades.
Counties and teachers interested in participating or learning more about STEMOVATE should contact STEMOVATE@tennessee.edu or visit the STEMOVATE website at: https://utorii.com/stemovate/.
About the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute
The University of Tennessee–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute was established in 2021 to accelerate research and talent development through the combined strengths of the University of Tennessee System and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. UT-ORII serves as the umbrella for UT–ORNL collaborative research and joint graduate education programs, including the Bredesen Center, and supports five convergent research initiatives in areas of national and state importance. Together, UT and ORNL are advancing discovery and developing the next generation of STEM talent to drive innovation for Tennessee and the nation.
Learn more about UT-ORII at https://utorii.com.
