Outreach, Engagement & Convening
Connecting students, educators, communities, and partners.
CAMM continues to advance interdisciplinary education, workforce development, outreach, and regional engagement in advanced materials research.
At the community and K–12 level, CAMM staff continued to host a variety of events focused on introducing students to Materials Science & Engineering, artificial intelligence, and quantum materials.
Outreach Snapshot
CAMM outreach connects East Tennessee students, educators, community centers, and regional partners.
425
East Tennessee students
About 425 students from East Tennessee have participated in outreach events during this reporting period.
10
Behind the Scenes events
Nearly 300 high school students visited IAMM, where CAMM is housed, across ten Behind the Scenes events.
100
Community center participants
Over the summer, CAMM reached approximately 100 participants through outreach activities at three local community centers.
170
TEAMS registrants
The 2025 Tennessee Advanced Materials Summit attracted 170 participants from academia, national laboratories, industry, and government.
Behind the Scenes
Laboratory tours, research pathways, artificial intelligence demonstrations, and lab showcases.
Behind the Scenes events begin with a welcome from CAMM Director Alan Tennant, who introduces the Center and discusses how rapidly artificial intelligence is evolving and re-shaping daily life.
The event continues with a student panel highlighting the varied paths into research, an artificial intelligence demonstration led by CAMM IRG 1 Deputy Lead Konstantinos Vogiatzis, and concludes with lab showcases from CAMM research groups.
School & Community Reach
CAMM expanded its outreach efforts to nearby rural communities.
- 25 STEM teachers and coordinators from Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies
- Nearly 300 high school students across ten Behind the Scenes events
- Jellico High School in Campbell County
- Union County High School
- A private high school
- Engineering students from Pellissippi State Community College
- Several high school students invited to job shadow graduate students
Community Engagement
CAMM outreach includes youth activities, career events, and community-based programming.
Community centers
Over the summer, CAMM reached approximately 100 participants through outreach activities at three local community centers: Deane Hill, Christenberry, and E.V. Davidson.
College and career days
CAMM Education Coordinator Corey Hodge participated in college and career days at local middle and high schools.
Making materials research visible
He distributed promotional materials, showcased a 3D printer producing CAMM key chains, and spoke about summer bridge programs, undergraduate majors, and potential careers.
Professional Development
Workshops and presentation practice support trainee development.
Professional development activities focused on graduate students but also available to undergraduate students and postdocs, have been jointly hosted by CAMM and IAMM.
- Patenting process
- STEM entrepreneurship
- Creating an effective CV
- Presentation skills for posters/oral presentations
- Time management
- Translating data
Poster Sessions
CAMM provides opportunities for students to present unfinished results and practice oral presentations.
CAMM hosted two poster sessions, one during CAMM’s annual conference, the Tennessee Advanced Materials Summit, and one in February 2026.
During the latter, CAMM recruited judges from the ORNL Neutron Sciences Directorate and Materials Science and Technology Division.
Participation was limited to 30 so each poster could be judged three times, which provided the presenters with invaluable feedback from industry experts.
Signature Event
Tennessee Advanced Materials Summit
Through CAMM, the 2025 Tennessee Advanced Materials Summit has developed into a multidisciplinary convening point and knowledge exchange for the regional and national materials and manufacturing community.
The 2025 TEAMS conference attracted 170 participants from academia, national laboratories, industry, and government and continues to grow as a regional and national convening point for advanced materials research.
Conference Highlights
TEAMS connects research dissemination, career development, and community-building.
- 170 registrants across academia, national laboratory, industry, and government
- Workshop survey respondents reported increased knowledge in emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in advanced materials research
- Respondents identified the industry engagement session and career panel as highlights of the conference
- CAMM graduate and undergraduate students, along with visiting REU students, are expected to present posters
Looking Ahead
Planned outreach and signature event activities continue the Center’s education and engagement mission.
SMaRT REU outreach
CAMM will be partnering for the third year with the Student Mentoring and Research Training Program on the REU, May 25 – July 31, 2026.
Muse Knoxville and community centers
CAMM’s PIs, grad students, and REU students will again be sharing activities with the youth at Muse Knoxville, Wesley House Community Center, and the South Knoxville Community Center.
TEAMS 2026
CAMM will host the third annual Tennessee Advanced Materials Summit at the UTK Student Union on July 20–21, 2026. Themes for this year’s conference include artificial intelligence, quantum, and fusion materials.
Student-led conference planning
Several CAMM graduate students are leading the planning of conference programming, including identifying and inviting speakers, managing communications, and confirming travel arrangements.
Behind the Scenes series
Corey Hodge, CAMM Education Coordinator, is planning the AY26-27 Behind the Scenes series and professional development workshops.
Community colleges
Along with continuing the partnership with 865 Academies, one special focus this year will be continuing to work with the local community colleges to introduce more students to Materials Science and Engineering and materials-focused research within Physics.
Partnerships & Access
Outreach is connected to regional engagement and external research access.
CAMM continued strengthening collaborations with ORNL, national laboratories, industry, and international partners while working toward fully activating shared infrastructure and external access through the Materials Research Facilities Network Guest Research Program.
MRFN Guest Research Program
Proposal-based access to CAMM facilities and expertise.
CAMM continued to advertise the Materials Research Facilities Network Guest Research Program, which supports external researchers through proposal-based access to CAMM facilities and expertise.