Tennessee STEAM Festival starts Friday

Science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) will come to life at more than 50 events and activities across the state during the 5th annual Tennessee STEAM Festival, taking place Oct. 15-24, 2021.

The Festival was founded by the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring and incorporates events hosted by a wide range of museums, schools, community centers and other attractions. A complete listing of activities is available at TNsteam.org.

New this year is “STEAM-a-Palooza” on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Discovery Center. This free outdoor event (rain or shine) features local artists, scientists and engineers for all-ages, hands-on fun. In addition, Discovery Center’s general admission for indoor exhibits will be half-price from 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 23.

“We’re excited to help safely reengage the community in the shared experience of exploring the world around us during the Tennessee STEAM Festival,” said Discovery Center CEO Tara MacDougall. “The Festival wouldn’t be possible without the many organizations and businesses that are participating this year. Each one offers a very special opportunity to experience how important science, technology, engineering, art and math are in our everyday lives.”

Featured events include:

• Earth Science Week, Discovery Park Of America, Union City – Oct. 15
• Car Culture Car Show, Adventure Science Center, Nashville – Oct. 16
• SumoBot Smackdown, The Muse, Knoxville – Oct. 16
• Space Explorers Discovery Lab, Hands On! Discovery Center, Gray – Oct. 16
• How Tennessee Got on the Periodic Table (Virtual), Tennessee Sections of the American Chemical Society – Oct. 19
• It’s All About STEAM, Museum of Science and History-Pink Palace, Memphis – Oct. 23
• STEAM-a-Palooza, Discovery Center, Murfreesboro – Oct. 23
• …and much more!

Festival attendees are urged to follow CDC guidelines for COVID mitigation, including social distancing and masking. Protocols may differ at each participating event site.

Sponsored by Franke and Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.

Participating organizations include:

Adventure Science Center
Arts Center of Cannon County
Bartlett Public Library
Beaman Park Nature Center
Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
Belmont University
Bloom Stage
Boys & Girls Clubs
Breeden’s Orchard
Chucalissa Museum
City of Memphis
Discovery Park of America
Earth Experience Museum
FiftyForward
Frist Art Museum
Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley
Hands On! Discovery Center
Lichterman Nature Center
Linebaugh Public Library
Lipscomb University
Memphis Botanic Garden
Metro Water Services
Middle Tennessee State University
Muse Knoxville
Museum of Science and History at the Pink Palace
Nashville Children’s Theatre
Nashville Parthenon
Nashville Public Television
Nashville Symphony
Pellissippi State Community College
Rutherford Arts Alliance
Rutherford County Farmers’ Market
Tennessee STEM Education Center
Tennessee Tech University
Volunteer State Community College
Warner Park Nature Center
Zoo Knoxville

About the Discovery Center
The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring is a hands-on, environmental, cultural and educational museum located in the heart of Middle Tennessee. More than 120,000 children and families visit annually, exploring exhibits and participating in programs that promote STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math) education. Adjacent to the Center is the protected Murfree Spring wetlands, a natural habitat for a variety of fish, amphibians and birds. Located at 502 S.E. Broad Street in Murfreesboro, TN. For more information, visit www.explorethedc.org or call (615) 890-2300.