Opportunities for Students

There are many extracurricular opportunities available to Tennessee students and teachers, such as grants, scholarships, and experiences. On this section of the site, students can apply for these opportunities, some of which are coordinated directly by the department of education.

Governor's Schools

The Governor's School Program provides summer programs for gifted and talented high school students. These programs provide challenging and intensive learning experiences in the 12 disciplines. More information is available on the Governor's School webpage.

Senate Youth Program

The Annual United States Senate Youth Program authorizes the selection of 104 student delegates, two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Office of Dependents Schools (DoDDS). The delegates are immersed in Washington activities throughout their week-long stay, including visits to the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court and the Pentagon. Delegates hear major addresses by senators, cabinet members and officials of the Department of State and the Department of Defense, as well as other federal departments. Additional activities include visits to the various Smithsonian Museums. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation pays all expenses for the week long Washington stay, including transportation, hotel accommodations and meals. In addition, each delegate is awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies.

Criteria For Applying In Tennessee

Each student applicant must be a permanent resident of the United States and currently a junior or senior enrolled in a public or private high school. The school must be located in the state in which either one of the applicant's parents or guardians legally reside. The student applicant must currently be serving in an elected capacity in any one of the following student government, civic or educational organizations:

  • Student body: President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer
  • Class President, Vice president, Secretary or Treasurer
  • Student Council: Representative
  • District, regional, or state-level civic or educational organizations: Representative.
  • School clubs (e.g., Chess Club) are not considered civic or educational organizations

A student attending a school located in a state other than the state of legal residence of his or her parents or guardians is not eligible.

Selection will be based on academic accomplishments, community service, knowledge of current American government issues and procedures and demonstrated qualities of leadership for the current school year. Applications must be submitted no later than October 28, 2016.

Program History

In 1962, the United States Senate voted unanimously to endorse a nationwide youth program that would bring high school students to Washington, DC for a brief introduction to the functions of the federal government -- particularly the Senate.

The program was created and authorized by Senate Resolution 234 and has been reauthorized ever since. The original resolution specified that the program be "supported by private funds with no expense to the federal government". As a result, The William Randolph Hearst Foundation assumed financial support of the program and continues its sponsorship today. The Foundation states that "it is in the public interest to encourage these outstanding young people to continue their educational development".

Related Link

United States Senate Youth Program

Contact

Charlotte Woehler
Content Coordinator, Content and Assessment Design
(615) 253-4344
Charlotte.Woehler@tn.gov

National Youth Science Camp Competition

The National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) is a residential science education program that honors and challenges two graduating high school science students from each state.  Scientists from across the nation present lectures and hands-on science seminars and linger to interact informally with student delegates.  Delegates are challenged to explore new areas in the biological and physical sciences, art, and music with resident staff members. Opportunities are provided for delegates to present seminars covering their own areas of interest and research. A visit to Washington D.C. permits delegates to visit some of the nation’s premier scientific, governmental, and cultural facilities. The NYSC experience includes overnight excursions into the Monongahela National Forest featuring backpacking, rock-climbing, caving, mountain biking, and kayaking opportunities. Delegates are required to participate in the camp program for its entirety as the fast-paced activities and remote location make travel to and from the NYSC very difficult. More information is available online at www.nysc.org.

Location

The NYSC will be held at a facility located in the Monongahela National Forest near Bartow in the eastern mountains of West Virginia.

Dates

Delegates MUST be able to attend the entire NYSC program. Delegates arrive in Charleston, West Virginia, on Friday, June 27, 2014, and depart on Sunday, July 20, 2014.

Cost

The National Youth Science Camp is offered at no cost to its participants so that selected delegates may attend regardless of their financial status. All educational and recreational programming, as well as meals, lodging, and round-trip air passage on scheduled airlines are provided free of charge to the delegates.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must...

  • Be candidates for high school graduation between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014;
  • Demonstrate superior academic proficiency, including recognition in mathematics and/or the sciences;
  • Demonstrate an application of leadership abilities and social maturity through involvement in school and community activities;
  • Demonstrate skills and achievements outside the realm of science and outside the realm of academic pursuits; and
  • Demonstrate a curiosity and an eagerness to explore many and varied topics.

Apply for NYSC

Tennessee Academic Decathlon

A student team from Madison Academic Magnet High School (Jackson-Madison County Schools) won the 2015-16 Tennessee Academic Decathlon and will compete in the national competition in Anchorage, AK, in April. The second place winner was the team from Haywood High School (Haywood County Schools), and Seymour High School (Sevier County Schools) took third. Congratulations to all participants!

The United States Academic Decathlon is a ten-event competition for teams of high school students. The competition is an opportunity for students of varying academic backgrounds. For a description of the national events and curriculum materials, please visit the United Academic Decathlon website.

The theme for the 2016-17 competition is World War II. To request information about forming a school team and participating in the 2016-17 Tennessee competition, please complete this short request for information form to provide your contact information.