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Tennessee STEM Education Center

Posters at the Capitol

On February 1, 2006, Tennessee joined a dozen other states by exposing state legislators to undergraduate research through the first-ever Tennessee Posters at the Capitol. On February 15, 2023, this annual tradition carried on as fifty-one undergraduate students from seven public universities presented their research through posters at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. These students were selected to represent the best of undergraduate research in STEM disciplines at their institutions. Legislators met students from their districts and saw first-hand the outstanding research being conducted by undergraduates across the state. 

Goals

The Poster at the Capitol project, hosted by Middle Tennessee State University, has two goals – to expose legislators to undergraduate researchers and to expose undergraduates to their legislators.  The state of Tennessee is the beneficiary of this exciting effort.



Wednesday, April 2, 2025






MTSU 2025 Participants

“Without Dr. Rogers, I would never have been able to conduct this current experiment and present at Posters at the Capitol, and I certainly would not be as confident in my skills and career path as I am today. ” – Izzy

“My advice to aspiring researchers is to take the time to engage deeply with peer-reviewed literature from researchers with similar methodologies to yours.” – Rashieq

“My most significant influence throughout this research project has been my thesis director, Dr. Wendelken, as well as my research assistants, professors, and everyone in the Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology program.” -Ananya

“My favorite part of the research process has been developing new skills and broadening my understanding of how research works.” -Esme

“I hope my research contributes to understanding what was present before the construction of Percy Priest dam…I wanted to quantify the amount of various land types lost during the flooding of the lake.” -Edwin

“My favorite part of the research process has been the opportunity to apply what I have learned in the classroom towards solving real questions within organic synthesis.” – Isaac

Nine Middle Tennessee State University undergraduate students and researchers, along with other undergraduates from public universities across the state, attended the annual Posters at the Capitol event held at the state Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Feb. 14, 2024, and took a photo with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, front row center, after he shared remarks with the group. (Photo by Theresa Montgomery/Office of Gov. Bill Lee)

MTSU undergrads present STEM research, meet with state officials at Capitol

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University undergraduate, STEM-based researchers recently got to showcase their talents, meet Tennessee. Gov. Bill Lee and tour the halls of state government at the annual Posters at the Capitol event.  The MTSU group of nine joined undergraduates from public universities across Tennessee at the Cordell Hull Building to share their projects spanning from cancer [ Read More ]

Ten Middle Tennessee State University undergraduate students and researchers, along with 41 others from public universities across the state, attended the annual Posters at the Capitol event held at the state Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, and took a photo with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, front and center, after he spoke to them in a short address. (Photo by Theresa Montgomery/Office of Gov. Bill Lee)

MTSU STEM undergrads visit state Capitol, present research at annual ‘Posters’ event

For 10 MTSU undergraduate students and researchers, Wednesday, Feb. 15, marked not just another opportunity to present their STEM-based research projects, but to also show off their work to state officials and peers and rub elbows with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee at the annual Posters at the Capitol event.  The MTSU cohort joined 41 other undergraduates from public universities across [ Read More ]

  • Austin Peay State University (APSU), Dr. Michael Licari, President
  • East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Dr. Brian E. Nolan, President
  • Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, President
  • Tennessee State University (TSU), Mr. Dwayne Tucker, President
  • Tennessee Tech University (TTU), Dr. Philip B. Oldham, President
  • The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Dr. Robert Dooley, Interim Chancellor
  • The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Dr. Donde Plowman, Chancellor
  • The University of Tennessee at Martin, Dr. Yancy Freeman, Chancellor
  • The University of Memphis, Dr. Bill Hardgrave, President

  • 9:00 a.m.        MTSU TSEC staff have access to rooms 8C & 8D and can start setting up easels
  • 9:10 a.m.        Check in with security and take posters to 8C & 8D prior to group photo
  • 9:35 a.m.        All participants meet at the bottom of the grand staircase for a group photo
  • 9:45 a.m.        Group photo (with the Governor, if available)
  • 10:00 a.m.      Students return to Cordell Hull Rooms 8C & 8D to set up posters 
  • 10:30 a.m.      Students stand by their poster and meet with legislators or in legislators’ offices
    (if appointments have been made on behalf of the students)
  • 11:30 a.m.      Lunch will be brought in around this time to designated areas in the rooms with the posters
    Legislators can have lunch with the students
  • 12:30 p.m.      Students take down their posters 
  • 1:00 p.m.        Room must be clear and ready for the next event
  • 1:00 p.m.       (Optional) Participants can make appointments to meet with their legislators in their offices.

  • Austin Peay State University (APSU), Dr. Michael Licari, President
  • Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, President
  • Tennessee State University (TSU), Dr. Glenda Glover, President
  • Tennessee Tech University (TTU), Dr. Philip Oldham, President
  • University of Memphis (U of M), Dr. Bill Hardgrave, President
  • The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (UTC), Dr. Steven R. Angle, Chancellor
  • The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), Dr. Donde Plowman, Chancellor
  • The University of Tennessee, Martin (UTM), Dr. Keith Carver, Chancellor

All times are Central Standard Time

9:00 a.m.         MTSU TSEC staff have access to rooms 8C & 8D and can start setting up easels.

9:00 a.m.         All participants arrive at Cordell Hull Building and check in with security. Participants should proceed to 8C and 8D to drop off/set up their posters.

9:30 a.m.         All participants meet at the bottom of the grand staircase for a group photo.

9:45 a.m.        Group photo with the Governor.

10:00 a.m.      Students arrive at Cordell Hull Rooms 8C & 8D to set up posters (Reminder – We will provide the easels, but you will need to provide the poster board).

10:30 a.m.       Students stand by their poster and meet with legislators or in legislators’ offices (if appointments have been made on behalf of the students).

11:30 a.m.       Lunch will be brought in around this time to designated areas in the rooms with the posters. Legislators can have lunch with the students.

12:30 p.m.      Students take down their posters.

1:00 p.m. (optional) Participants can make appointments to meet with their legislators in their offices.

Location: Tennessee State Capitol, in the Cordell Hull Building, 425 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243, on the 8th floor in rooms C & D. 

Directions and lists of parking options are found in the links below.

BUSES: If you have a bus, you can get a permit to park a bus downtown from the Metro Nashville Department of Permits. Their number is 615-862-8782. They will send you a form to fill out and tell you where you are able to park.

Posters will be assigned a tripod for their presentation. Poster numbers 1-31 will present in room 8C. Poster number 32-62 will present in room 8D. See building and layout maps for more information.

Poster Guidelines

The poster size should be 30” x 40” and should be displayed portrait. Posters should NOT be trifold. Posters will be displayed on tripods which will be provided. You are responsible for having your poster printed and either foam mounted or purchasing a foam board to which you can attach your printed poster. Please keep in mind that poster text should be legible from a few feet away.

Students are expected to provide poster and the foam board backing to support the posters on the tripods. Tripods will be provided by TSEC for this event.