April 16, 2026
The 8th Annual Rutherford County Schools STEM Expo marked its largest event to date, with more than 440 students showcasing 225 innovative projects. The Expo’s continued growth reflects the dedication of students, teachers, and the community members who supported the event from start to finish.
Hosted by Middle Tennessee State University, the event brought together project evaluators, volunteers, sponsors, and educators who played a vital role in its success. Special appreciation goes to the university’s staff and partners, as well as the RCS “Dream Team,” whose leadership helped bring the large-scale event to life.
Students were supported throughout their STEM journeys by committed teachers, including Central Magnet School’s Marc Guthrie, who was named 2026 STEM Expo Teacher of the Year.
In addition to hands-on learning and collaboration, the Expo celebrated student achievement through a wide range of awards.
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Top Honors (Best of Show)
- 1st Place (Overall Winner): Central Magnet School — A Single Steam Recycling Program at Central Magnet School
- 2nd Place: Central Magnet School — Mr. Clean-ER
- 3rd Place: Thurman Francis Arts Academy — Her Health Heard
Best Awards
- Best Abstract / Student Documentation: Thurman Francis Arts Academy — Her Health Heard
Agricultural STEM
- Elementary/Middle School
- 1st Place: Stewarts Creek Middle — The Ripe-inator
- 2nd Place: Stewarts Creek Middle — Unplugger Pro
- High School
- 1st Place: Central Magnet — Smart Soil Sensor
- 2nd Place: Central Magnet — Algae SLAY
Engineering
- Elementary/Middle School
- 1st Place: Blackman Middle — Octo Hand
- 2nd Place: Central Magnet — A Demo of Differing Efficiencies of Turbine Types
- High School
- 1st Place: Central Magnet — Ultrasonic Sensor
- 2nd Place: Stewarts Creek High — The Dragonfly
STEM Research
- Elementary/Middle School
- 1st Place: Central Magnet — Mr. Clean-ER
- 2nd Place: Central Magnet — From Source to Sink
- High School
- 1st Place: Central Magnet — A Single Steam Recycling Program at Central Magnet School
- 2nd Place: Central Magnet — Academic Performance Related to Proximity to One’s Twin
Technology
- Elementary/Middle School
- 1st Place: Thurman Francis Arts Academy — Her Health Heard
- 2nd Place: Stewarts Creek Middle — RIFT^
- High School
- 1st Place: Stewarts Creek High — Simple Sets
- 2nd Place: Central Magnet — The Internet Free Health Hub
Special Recognition Awards (Selected)
- Automation NTH — Smart Soil Sensor (Central Magnet)
- CloudX — SAFE (LaVergne Middle)
- Consolidated Utility District — From Source to Sink (Central Magnet)
- Cumberland University — Effects of Audio-Visual Therapy on Dogs (Central Magnet)
- Discovery Center — Lemonade Stand (Oakland Middle)
- EOSYS — RIFT^ (Stewarts Creek Middle)
- Junior League of Murfreesboro — Her Health Heard (Thurman Francis Arts Academy)
- Meharry Medical College — Birth Order & Anxiety Study (Central Magnet)
- Middle Tennessee Electric — Air Condition Bird House (Central Magnet)
- Middle Tennessee State University — Smart Soil Sensor (Central Magnet)
- Motlow Mechatronics — Turbine Efficiencies Demo (Central Magnet)
- Nissan North America — Ultrasonic Sensor Alternative Cleaning Solution (Central Magnet)
- TI Automotive — MediNest (Thurman Francis Arts Academy)
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Clinic Mortality Factors Study (Central Magnet)