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About

Top middle and high school entries advance to national competitions

The Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair (MTSEF) is the premiere STEM competition for middle and high school students in the 24 counties of the Middle Tennessee area.

70
Years in Middle TN

Funded entirely through sponsorships
Strong rural & urban 
underserved population

>50%

Female participants & winners

Judges consist of college educators and industry professionals

17

Scientific and Engineering Categories

24 Counties Across Middle Tennessee

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MTSEF is an affiliate of the Society for Science and the Public and sends grand prize winners to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) competition each year. Top middle school projects move on to compete in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, a program of The Society for Science. This is the premiere national science and engineering competition for middle school students.

MTSEF is supported by the Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair Foundation, an independent TN non-profit corporation serving to advance secondary school science and engineering education and student research in Middle Tennessee. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax- exempt entity and all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Encouraging science and engineering in secondary education throughout Middle Tennessee.

Our Mission

Advance the interest and participation of Middle Tennessee students in scientific inquiry-based learning.

Our Mission

Our Goals

  • Advance STEM fields in Middle Tennessee

  • Enhance perception of and exposure to STEM

  • Organize MTSEF

  • Support representatives to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

  • Recognize those committed to educational excellence

  • Solicit scholarships and awards

  • Secure multi-year funding for MTSEF objectives

  • Maintain the highest code of conduct

Our Board

C. Steven

Murphree, Ph.D.

Belmont University

Professor of Biology and MTSEF Director

David

Huneycutt, M.D.

HCA Healthcare

Cardiologist

Joel

Harp, Ph.D.

Vanderbilt University

Biomolecular Crystallography Facility Director

Amanda

Smith

Chemours, New Johnsonville

Maintenance & Reliability Unit Manager

Sarah (Sally)

Lundin Schiller, Ph.D.

Austin Peay State University

Biology Professor Emeritus and Past MTSEF Scientific Review Committee Chair

Ron

Robertson, Ph.D.

Austin Peay State University

Emeritus Chemistry Professor and Past MTSEF Director

We Need Your Support Today!

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