KNOXVILLE — Cleveland High School recently participated in a statewide STEM Research Symposium. The Cleveland High School delegation included students Kaitlin Holms and Andrea Tipton, and teacher Jeannie Cuervo.

Tipton, a junior, presented her and Holms’ research, “Potential Site for the Translocation and Propagation of the Smoky Madtom, Noturus baileyi,” which evaluated the possibility of transferring the endangered fish from Citico Creek in Monroe County to Spring Creek in the Cherokee National Forest to promote its survival.

The symposium culminated in an awards banquet recognizing the top five student presenters and honoring the top three with a total of $4,500 in scholarships.

Tipton won the first place honorable mention and the opportunity to attend the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in San Diego, April 27 through May 1. The judges complimented her for identifying an interesting and important problem in her region regarding the investigation of potential environments for the reproduction of an endangered fish species. The judges also applauded her enthusiasm and energy in her presentation.

More than 50 students and teachers representing 15 high schools from across the state were invited to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville for the 46th annual Tennessee Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Fifteen students presented original research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines as they competed for college scholarships.

The symposium spanned two days and consisted of student oral research presentations judged by a panel of UT Knoxville faculty. Tours of various research laboratories at UT and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory where students interacted with world-renowned researchers were also given. For the first time, a teacher professional development workshop focused on mentoring student research was also offered.