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This summer, the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville—supported by the CR2C2 Center under Project EWD-2 and in partnership with Johnson University—hosted the inaugural Advanced Mobility Innovation Lab (AMIL) Professional Development Camp. The three-day program was designed to empower local middle school teachers with practical, hands-on experience in emerging transportation technologies, including automated vehicles, drones, electric vehicles (EVs), and smart traffic systems.

With guidance from Johnson University’s Templar School of Education, participating educators learned innovative ways to integrate STEM concepts into their classrooms. They explored cutting-edge tools and research that can spark curiosity and make abstract concepts tangible for their students.

The camp’s final day brought those lessons to life, as teachers led more than 50 middle school students through an interactive showcase of transportation technologies. Students flew drones, experienced autonomous vehicle demonstrations, and participated in the event’s highlight—designing and assembling their own operational electric vehicles.

This collaborative effort was made possible through the support of the Tennessee Department of Transportation, KEVA, ORIED, THSO, and several UT departments. Together, partners are cultivating a strong STEM pipeline and inspiring the next generation of innovators in East Tennessee.