1. Smoky Mtns. STEM Collaborative Monthly Status (August 2017)
Current Status Updates/Changes
Summer was a busy time for the Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative… PI – Astronomy Graduate Studies at Appalachian State University– Stellar Evolution / Observational Student Research Experience at Appalachian State University – 4 Students in astronomy, working with 3 faculty. Asteroid occultation. Eclipsing binaries. Eclipse events were a success! Thanks to: NASA 360 (Harla Sherwood/Becky Jaramillo) Great Smoky Mountains National Park Marshall Space Flight Center (Kat Balch/Mitzi Adams) Montana and NC Space Grant Anita Davis, Alex Young, Carolyn Ng, Kristen Erickson Post totality – most people at GSMNP were done. Future events either need REALLY engaging activities post totality or a plan to release attendees after totality. Expectations were met: eclipse and traffic were incredible but for very different reasons. Thanks to Emergency Management / Public Safety! We still can’t accurately predict mountain weather. Everyone (the media/public) LOVES the eclipse.
Working on smooth transition from Eclipse activities to Eclipse wrap up -> NASA STEM connections. Increased focus on K – 12 engagement and curriculum enhancement at the K – 14 levels. Continued public engagement via Southwestern Community College, Fontana Regional Library, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Look Ahead
Lessons Learned
STEM Club at SCC
GLOBE
Ballooning Demonstration Lab K – 12 Engagement
October - CREW – Regional Educators Workshop
November - Year Two Report

2. Smoky Mtns. STEM Collaborative Monthly Status (August 2017)
Totality over Southwestern Community College
Photo Credit: Matt Zeher / Zeherfoto NC Museum of Natural Science
Anderson, SC
Photo Credit: SCC Mountain Flyers with 360 Fly Camera Montana/NC Space Grant: NNX16AB84G
Photo Credit: Rachel Smith NC Museum of Natural Science / Appalachian State University

3. Smoky Mtns. STEM Collaborative Monthly Status (August 2017)
Clingmans Dome Eclipse Event
Photo Credit: Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative Southwestern Community College