ETSU Governor's School

Tennessee History and Environmental Studies

Governor's School for Tennessee History and Environmental Studies

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The Governor's School for Tennessee History and Environmental Studies  (formerly Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage)

East Tennessee State University 
May 25 - June 20, 2025

The Governor's School for Tennessee History and Environmental Studies is a four-week program that explores the unique history and culture of Tennessee through integrated concepts of science, preservation, and interpretation, offered in the spectacular setting of the southern Appalachian mountains.  As part of this program, students will:  

  • Complete three semester hours of college credit in Tennessee history, as well as an intensive, non-credit seminar in research, writing, and presentation skills.
  • Participate in intensive field experiences related to Tennessee history and culture, including: 
    • A Paleontology Experience at the world-renowned Gray Fossil Site, which will include digging for fossils and learning the behind-the-scenes working of the ETSU Natural History Museum; 
    • A Pioneer Experience at the ETSU Valleybrook campus, a 144-acre, outdoor research and laboratory facility;
    • A Service Learning/Environmental Experience at Rocky Fork State Park, Tennessee’s newest state park, located in a beautiful mountain valley in Unicoi County. 
  • Take part in enriching visits to historical, cultural, and natural sites, such as: The Museum of the Cherokee Indian, The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Roan Mountain State Park, Historic Jonesborough, the International Storytelling Center, and Rocky Mount State Historic Site. 
  • Enjoy a range of activities related to Tennessee history and cultural heritage, such as contra dancing, hiking, flint knapping, storytelling, and traditional music. 

Prerequisites: Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, strong preparation and interest in history and science, and good research and writing skills.  Some of the fieldwork is physically challenging.  If students have any questions or concerns about their ability to complete such activities, they should contact the program at (423) 439-7994 or GSTHES@etsu.edu.

TO APPLY: 

Applications must be completed by a nominating educator and will be  accepted from Oct. 1, 2024 - Dec. 6, 2024. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE TO THE SECURE REDCAP PORTAL (see link below).

Application Submission Instructions

  1. High school counselor / administrator (Nominator) will nominate students through the secure online REDCAP portal: https://redcap.link/gsthes2025. This includes uploading an official student transcript. Use a personal email for the student (such as Gmail), as some email domains offered through the school block external messages. In these cases, the student never receives notice of being nominated and is unable to complete the student portion of the application. Upon submission of the student nomination, an email is automatically sent to the student.
  2. Nominated students will receive an email notice from no-reply@etsuredcap.etsu.edu with a unique link to complete their application section in the secure online REDCAP portal. This section, including essay and resume, must be completed by the nominated student and signed by parent / guardian. Use personal email (such as Gmail), as some email domains offered through the school block external messages, and you will not receive important notifications. Students are to list two teachers (one Social Studies or Science AND one Humanities or Arts) to complete the confidential Teacher's Reference forms. Be sure to enter the teacher’s correct email, otherwise, they will not receive the link to submit the reference information. After the student Submits their application section, referring teachers will receive an email from REDCAP to enter reference information.
  3. Teachers providing student references will receive an email with a link to the secure REDCAP portal to enter the reference information for the student. Students will receive an email notifying them as the teacher references are complete.
  4. Nominators will receive an email from REDCAP acknowledging the student and teacher sections are complete. Nominator should verify all information and SUBMIT the final application for the student to complete the application process.
  5. A notice of the completed application will be sent via email to the nominator, student, and the parent / guardian letting them know that the application to GSTHES was successfully submitted.

 

Address questions to gsthes@etsu.edu or 423-439-7995. Submission must be completed no later than the deadline(s) listed on page two of each application (Dec. 6, 2024).

Students will be updated via email as their application moves through the subsequent steps in the process. Students should check email and respond to any notices of missing information. Please mark no-reply@etsuredcap.etsu.edu and gsthes@etsu.edu as SAFE in your email inbox to avoid missing notifications.

 

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