The meeting will start at 11:30 a.m. with general discussion.

The formal presentation will start at 11:55 a.m.

The Southern Appalachian Science & Engineering Fair is the premier science and engineering competition for students in middle and high school for a 23-county service area of East Tennessee. It is the official, affiliated regional fair of the International Science and Engineering Fair and Broadcom MASTERS, the nation’s premier middle school STEM Competition. It is held annually on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus during the last week of March or first week of April.

SASEF has promoted teaching the scientific method in science, engineering, and math since 1952. In conjunction with the Knoxville News Sentinel and the University of Tennessee, The Technical Society of Knoxville sponsored the first “Southern Appalachian Regional Science Fair.”

On May 2, 1953, The Society gave the first awards dinner, which was attended by one hundred fifty students. It has continued to support the Fair, providing it with judges and, until 1966, underwriting the banquet. After that year TSK decided instead to donate two cash awards and trophies to the senior division winners in engineering or physics.

SASEF is always looking for scientists, engineers and teachers to serve as volunteer judges. This year’s fair will be held (tentatively) March 29-31, 2022. Register online to judge!

Susan Troop worked in undergraduate research at UTK prior to joining the Pre-College team in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Vermont and her master’s degree in higher education administration from UT. As a former classroom teacher she has a passion for connecting students with activities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).