Tennessee Governor's Schools for the Sciences and Engineering

01/21/2026

GSSE Resident Staff applications are LIVE!

As part of our Resident Staff, you will lead, inspire, and help shape an unforgettable GSSE experience for 180 students from across the state of Tennessee.

Application and details can be found at the link below. Applications are due February 6, 2026.

tiny.utk.edu/2026gsse.residentstaffapp

12/06/2025

Learn more about our GSSE courses!

Physics

Curious about the physics behind everyday life? Introduction to Physics is the perfect course for students ready to explore the science that shapes our world.

Learn how Newton’s laws explain the motion of sports balls, vehicles, and everyday objects. Discover how lenses and mirrors form images, making magnifiers, telescopes, and cameras work. Explore the nature of electric currents, voltage, capacitors, and resistors that power modern technology. See how magnetic fields interact with moving charges to protect Earth and make compasses work.

Students will see how these fundamental principles of motion, light, electricity, and magnetism influence everything around them, all through 16 interactive lectures with real-world examples and applications.

Learn more and apply: gsse.utk.edu

12/06/2025

Learn about our GSSE courses!

Biology

Students who love Biology, we are offering the perfect course for you! Evolution of the Vertebrates allows students to work directly with fossils, casts, and skeletons to explore the history of vertebrate life.

You’ll dive into how major vertebrate groups evolved, diversified, and adapted over time, including innovations such as flight, land invasion, and aquatic lifestyles.

This course even includes a field trip to the Gray Fossil Site in Washington County, TN — a 4.5-million-year-old fossil site, museum, and active research lab.

Learn more and apply: gsse.utk.edu

12/06/2025

Learn more about our GSSE courses!

Materials Science and Engineering

Want to see the science behind the materials that build our world? Our Materials Science and Engineering course gives students the chance to work in small groups exploring metals, ceramics,

polymers, and composites, and understanding the connection between their structure and properties.

Students will learn about microscopy, discover how materials have shaped human civilization, and explore how new materials can solve future challenges. The course also includes visits to state-of-the-art labs at UT Knoxville and Cherokee Farm, along with talks from MSE faculty and researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Learn more and apply: gsse.utk.edu

12/06/2025

Learn more about our GSSE Courses!

Mathematics

Fascinated by mathematics? Hadamard Matrices, Secret Codes, Concert Halls, and Quantum Teleportation Schemes is a captivating course. In this course, students learn to write rigorous logical proofs using concepts from logic, integers, induction, and divisibility. You’ll also explore vectors, matrices, determinants, invertibility, and their algebraic, geometric, and physical interpretations.

Students collaborate in teams to create and present posters and videos on abstract math topics, famous mathematicians, and real-world applications of mathematics.

Learn more and apply: gsse.utk.edu

12/04/2025

Learn more about our GSSE courses!

Chemistry

See science at a whole new scale! Introduction to Nanotechnology is the perfect course for students eager to explore the chemistry and technology behind next-generation solar cells, batteries, sensors, and pollution-reducing materials.

In this class, students discover how materials behave differently at the tiny scale of 1–100 nanometers and learn how nanotechnology is transforming sustainable energy, biomedicine, and environmental science.

Learn more and apply: gsse.utk.edu

12/03/2025

Learn more about our GSSE courses!

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Ever wondered how engineers keep factories, hospitals, and airports running smoothly? Our Industrial and Systems Engineering course gives students a hands-on look at how to optimize and improve the performance of complex systems.

Students will learn how to eliminate waste in business operations, identify risks, and develop project plans. The course also features seminars with faculty and alumni, along with field learning experiences, including visits to local companies and facilities.

Learn more and apply: gsse.utk.edu

12/03/2025

Learn more about our GSSE Courses!

New this year: Artificial Intelligence

Interested in exploring the world of Artificial Intelligence? The Governor’s School for the Sciences and Engineering now offers a new course called Foundations in Applied Artificial Intelligence.

Students work directly with real-world AI tools and learn how machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing actually function. Students also explore how AI is transforming major industries such as healthcare and even collaborate with UT’s state-of-the-art innovation lab. Learn more and apply: gsse.utk.edu

12/02/2025

Learn more about our GSSE courses!

New this year: Nuclear Engineering

Dive into the world of Nuclear Engineering! Discover how nuclear engineering drives clean energy through fission and fusion, supports nonproliferation and safeguards, and helps ensure public safety.

Students will explore applications in medical imaging and targeted radiotherapy, gaining hands-on experience through exercises and group projects that address real-world nuclear engineering challenges.

You’ll also meet industry practitioners from Tennessee, including experts from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and learn about diverse career paths in energy, security, and medicine. Learn more and apply: gsse.utk.edu

12/01/2025

Learn more about our GSSE Courses!

New this year: Food Science

Curious about the science behind what we eat? The Governor’s School for the Sciences and Engineering is offering a new Science of Foods course!

Students will participate in hands-on experiments to explore how food chemistry, biology, and engineering come together in our everyday foods. You’ll learn how food components affect shelf life and discover ways to extend it, all while engaging in fun, collaborative activities like breadmaking, butter making, and sensory evaluations of food.

Learn more and apply: gsse.utk.edu

10/07/2025

The 2026 Governor’s School for the Sciences and Engineering Application is OPEN!

Visit our website to learn more about the updated application process, explore three new afternoon courses, and find all the details you need to apply. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible summer experience!

https://gsse.utk.edu/

07/01/2025