BOSS Conference - Scheduled for February 27, 2027
About BOSS Conference
The Big Orange STEM Saturday (BOSS) conference is a high-impact, college preparatory event designed to connect high school students directly to university STEM resources and career opportunities.
Students learn and utilize essential pre-professional skills through direct engagement with researchers, professors, and industry professionals. The conference features a keynote speaker, seven interactive breakout sessions, a variety of tabling exhibitors, and a keynote address. The audience includes 130-140 students from over 19 different high schools in Knox County and surrounding areas every year.
BOSS 2027 Science Detectives: From Clues to Conclusions
Who, what, where, when, why, and how? The 6 questions that follow every mystery. But fear not! When it comes to investigative science careers, we have the answers. At the 2027 BOSS Conference, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about a bevy of careers, organizations, and community connections relating to forensic and investigative sciences. You’ll discover what these careers entail, who does them, why they’re significant, and what it takes to do the job in an interactive and engaging format.
Students will begin the day with an introduction and welcome from the BOSS team and an opening speaker. Then the students will split off to attend 30-minute breakout sessions, which they would have chosen prior to the conference. During this time, they’ll also have a chance to explore different exhibits and learn about different areas of UTK and our community partners. Afterwards, lunch will be served, and then the students will reconvene in the auditorium to hear from our keynote speaker. Finally, students will end the day with a final message from the BOSS team and a raffle.
BOSS Team includes:
Michelle Brannen, Dominque Bulgin, Chulin Chen, Val Hodge, Laura Knight, Thura Mack, Scarlett McConville, Angelica Nepomuceno and Megan Venable