Learning That Doesn't Feel Like Learning

Two students with their hands on their heads engaged in a STEM activity

Building Tennessee’s next STEM problem-solvers

On a weekday morning in Crockett County, sixth graders at Alamo City School are traveling—at least in their minds. With sample plots spread across their desks, they study invasive plants and imagine they’re a world away, out on the African Serengeti.

Lucy Tillman soaks up the lesson. “I’m excited to learn about plants because I love to learn about ecosystems and biodiversity stuff,” she says.

STEM, with an imagination boost

Lucy and her classmates are part of a new academic curriculum called STEMOVATE. The name fuses STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—with innovation, and the program lives up to it. Through hands-on lessons, students explore topics ranging from artificial intelligence and engineering to the natural world.

STEMOVATE is led by UT Extension and Tennessee 4-H Youth Development in collaboration with the UT–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, and UT-Battelle.

Keith Carver with three students during a STEMOVATE activity — UTIA Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Keith Carver talks with sixth graders in STEMOVATE. The visit was a homecoming: Carver attended middle and high school in Crockett County and joined students as they explored future careers in science and technology.

Growing across Tennessee

In 2025, the program reached six thousand sixth graders in twenty-two pilot counties, including Crockett. This year, STEMOVATE is expanding to sixth-grade and homeschool students in twenty-nine additional counties, with plans to recruit the rest of the state by 2027. The long-range goal is to expand statewide to seventh and eighth graders by 2030.

Learning without realizing it

“They’re learning without even realizing it,” says Shelby Cross, 4-H agent with UT Extension Crockett County. “They get to use that knowledge and put it in a different file in their head—‘Oh, yeah, I know that because I learned it in class’—and then apply it in a hands-on way.”

The energy is palpable, says Alamo City School principal Kelsie Henning. “Yes, so much energy. It was a great addition to the program with 4-H coming in, working with our students, and giving us a little push to what we’re doing already. It allows our students to be even more motivated to work in those areas of STEM.”

A 4-H extension agent teaching students on the engineering design process — 4-H agent Shelby Cross engages youth in a STEMOVATE lesson.

Keeping curiosity front and center

Other STEMOVATE lessons delve into nuclear power and the energy generated by roller coasters— topics designed to meet students where they are and keep curiosity front and center.

When STEM feels relevant and exciting, students can begin to picture themselves in those fields one day. Supported by mentors and opportunities like STEMOVATE, they can carry that curiosity forward—growing into the engineers, researchers, and problem solvers who strengthen families, schools, and Tennessee’s future.