Beyond the Classroom Challenge

 

 

UTC Underwater archaeology students using equipment on a boat

How does the Beyond the Classroom Challenge work?

  1. Sign up to receive a weekly list of the best fun, free events on campus and in the community.
  2. Complete the Beyond the Classroom Challenge in one of two ways:
    • Fully participate and reflect on 10 events
    • Have completed a designated experience the prior semester, then fully participate and reflect on five events.
  3. Complete a post-challenge reflection survey and turn in a photo.

Sign Up

UTC construction structures students working with a drill

Weekly Events List - Listed Below

The Beyond the Classroom Challenge is a way for students to jump into a broad variety of FREE campus and community events, learning more about UTC, Chattanooga, and themselves—all based on their own schedules and interests. Each event will help students get to know UTC and Chattanooga and learn where to get more involved.

By completing the challenge, students can receive the Beyond the Classroom Challenge Award, which includes a pictorial award signed by UTC's Chancellor, Dr. Lori Bruce, a celebratory dinner with your fellow award winners, and all points accumulate toward being recognized as a ThinkAchieve Graduate.

Event Reflection Form
How many ThinkAchieve points do I have?

Beyond the Classroom Challenge 

Weekly Events for 03/02/2026 - 03/08/2026

In-Person/Online Events

Monday, March 2nd

Improv Chattanooga Monthly Open House
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm  
Downtown Chattanooga Library
Interested in getting involved with Improv Chattanooga? Join Improv Chattanooga at the Downtown Library for a FREE open house every month. Adults of any age are invited to drop in to watch, participate, and try new things! Learn more here.

Tuesday, March 3rd

Women's History Month STEM Panel
12:30 – 1:45 pm
Metropolitan Building, Room 231, 518 Oak St
In honor of Women's History Month, the WGSS department is hosting a STEM Panel. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend! Women will be discussing their careers and research in the STEM fields. Learn more about the panel and RSVP here.

Wednesday, March 4th

The 2nd Wave of Feminist Photography
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fine Arts Center Room 315
Discover how Emily Bassett integrates photography, painting, installation, and poetry through a feminist lens, engaging questions of ethics, sex education, domesticity, and cultural narrative in this session. Bassett is a tenure-track Graphic Arts Instructor at Chattanooga State Community College with a master’s degree in Education and doctoral research experience in higher education. She is currently an MFA candidate in Visual Arts at Vermont College of Fine Arts. RSVP here.

Open Canvas: Art Workshop
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm  
Center for Wellbeing
Wellbeing through creativity. Using art to express, explore, and care for yourself. All materials provided—just bring yourself. RSVP here.

Photo Night 2026
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St
We are delighted to invite you to join us for the 10th annual Photo Night, an evening celebrating the power of visual storytelling and the photojournalists who bring these stories to life. In the Roland Hayes Concert Hall the campus and Chattanooga community will gather for a conversation with four distinguished photojournalists. Founded by award‑winning photojournalist and UTC Associate Lecturer Billy Weeks, Photo Night offers each professional the opportunity to present their work and reflect on their craft, Q&A style. The evening will also highlight work from Rising Rock, our student-powered storytelling lab, featuring non-fiction visual stories from across Greater Chattanooga. Learn more and RSVP here.

Thursday, March 5th

Throwback Thursday and Art Wise: Invitational Artist Talks
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Hunter Museum of American Art
Join Hunter Invitational V artists Corinne Colarusso, Amie Esslinger, Katie Hargrave, and Althea Murphy-Price for an in-gallery discussion of their work. Learn more here.

Learn the Ropes: Sailing & Knot-Tying 101
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Outdoor Chattanooga
Set sail for adventure with Privateer Sailing Education Foundation! This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the basics of sailing and essential knot-tying techniques every mariner should know. Learn how to handle the wind, understand boat controls, and practice tying knots used for rigging, docking, and safety. Whether you’re new to sailing or looking to refresh your skills, this session offers the perfect mix of education and fun off the water. Register here.

Friday, March 6th

Women's History Month Art Exhibit Opening: Glimmer and Shine
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm [Minimum time Commitment: 1 hour)
Wavelength Space/Gallery, 854 McCallie Ave
In honor of Women's History Month, the WGSS department is hosting a month-long art exhibit at Wavelength Space titled Glimmer & Shine. The exhibit's opening reception will be held on Friday, March 6th. All students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend! RSVP here.

Civic Arts League – First Friday Open House and Reception 
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm [Minimum Time Commitment: 1 hour]
The Northside Gallery, 923 Mississippi Ave
The public is cordially invited to attend a festive First Friday open house and reception at The Northside Gallery: Home Gallery of Civic Arts League. The Northside Gallery is now the official home of the Civic Arts League! The fine artists of this organization are delighted to fill this beautiful gallery space with art in every medium and style. Wine and finger foods will also be served. The artists look forward to meeting you and invite you to stay a while and relax in the cozy "conversation area" upstairs. Learn more here.

Belay Clinic
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm  
UTC Outdoors
Want to learn how to belay a fellow climber at the climbing wall? Join us and learn! You can pre-register in the UTC Outdoors Center on the first floor of the Aquatics and Recreation Center (ARC). Equipment is included. Learn more here.

Saturday, March 7th

Dragging Canoe-Cherokee War of 1776
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
10 Hamm Road
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present a talk at Moccasin Bend National Archeological District discussing the rise of Dragging Canoe, one of the Cherokee resistance leaders in 1776. Parking for the program will be at the Gateway Site off Hamm Road (10 Hamm Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405). “Special Event” signs will also be posted along Manufacturers and Hamm roads to help guide visitors to event parking. Learn more here.  

A Night of French Music
7:30 pm  
Cadek Recital Hall
Join Danny Mila playing the piano and Octavian Moldovean playing the flute for a night of French music! See other music events here.  

Sunday, March 8th

An Afternoon of Music from the Mid-South Symphonic Band
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
UTC Fine Arts Center
Join the Mid-South Symphonic Band for An Afternoon of Music, a distinguished concert offering energy, charm, and memorable artistry for audiences of all ages. This program presents a thoughtfully curated blend of classical repertoire, contemporary works, and engaging showpieces that highlight the full color and versatility of the ensemble.  Get your free tickets here.

Star Party: Sisterhood of the Stars
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Clarence T. Jones Observatory
Join us for a one-time free event celebrating International Women's Day. The Clarence T. Jones Observatory hosts Sisterhood of the Stars, an evening celebrating the works of influential women in astronomy. Gates will open at 6:30, and programs will begin at 7:00 until 9:00 Eastern. Those present at 7:00 or earlier will have priority admittance until we reach capacity. The event will have kid-friendly interactive exhibits and a planetarium show. Information about parking: Easier access to the observatory is to park behind the Brainerd United Methodist Church. RSVP here.

Library Events

Monday, March 2nd

Free Workshop: Copyright for Creators
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Library: Room 205
Have you tried to post a video and YouTube took it down? Worse, did you put a drawing up on the Internet only to have people post it everywhere without your permission? What even is Copyright and what does Fair Use mean? Come to this workshop and we'll go over the basics to help you know what you can use and how to protect your work. RSVP here.

Tuesday, March 3rd

Free Workshop: PowerPoint: Back to Basics
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Library: Room 201
Need to get ready for an important presentation and don’t know how to create the perfect slideshow for the event? Look no further. This beginner workshop covers the basics of PowerPoint tools to get you set up for making your presentation just right. RSVP here.

Free Workshop: Excel: Back to Basics
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Library: Room 201
Wow, look at all those boxes. What’s a formula? How do I make a chart? I haven’t used Excel before, but I need to know things! This Excel beginner workshop will guide you to the solutions. You’ll leave with the knowledge of the features and functionality of each ribbon (if you don’t know what that is, you can learn that here, too)! RSVP here.

Free Workshop: How to Write a Lit Review
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Online
What exactly is a literature review and how do I do one? Come learn best practices for compiling and writing a solid lit review for your class assignment. RSVP here.

Wednesday, March 4th

Free Workshop: Avoiding Plagiarism
2:00 pm – 2:50 pm  
Library: Room 205
There are a lot of varieties of plagiarism. Attend this session to learn what they are and how to avoid them! RSVP here.

Free Workshop: Sync into Synths!
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm  
Library: Room 205
Explore the world of circuitry, sound synthesis, and electronics in a beginner-friendly introduction to synthesizers. Learn basic terms, history, and general workings of synthesizers as well as meet like-minded electronic music enthusiasts and demo instruments and effects available via the Studio. RSVP here.

Free Workshop: Excel: Formulas and Functions
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Online
Excel has many functions and formulas to choose from. Need help figuring out what's what? Join us for this workshop to check out some common formulas and some lesser known yet useful ones too! Plus, bonus content to help bring out a more Excel-efficient you! RSVP here.

Thursday, March 5th

Free Workshop: How to Write a Lit Review  
11:00 pm – 11:30 pm  
Online
What exactly is a literature review and how do I do one? Come learn best practices for compiling and writing a solid lit review for your class assignment. RSVP here.

Free Workshop: Photoshop Basics
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Library: Room 204
Ready to dive into the world of Photoshop but don't know where to start? Join our beginner-friendly Photoshop workshop and discover the powerful tools that can transform your ideas into stunning visuals. This hands-on workshop will introduce you to different tools to add text and graphics to images, remove a background, overlap images, and more! RSVP here.

Friday, March 6th

Free Workshop: Avoiding Plagiarism
2:00 pm – 2:50 pm
Library Room 205
There are a lot of varieties of plagiarism. Attend this session to learn what they are and how to avoid them! RSVP here. 
 

MOCs Get Out And Go! A “Choose-Your-Own” Beyond the Classroom Challenge

Instructions​

This extension of the Beyond the Classroom Challenge was created in hopes of encouraging students to get out and explore Chattanooga and surrounding areas. Whenever you have a chance, grab your friends or roommates, and pick one of these local adventures to get a feel for the amazing city you live in! ​

​Each event counts just like any other event, two points toward the 20 points/10 event total for the semester award. In addition to submitting a reflection on what you learned within a week of the date you get out and go!, please email [email protected] a picture of you on your “Choose Your Own BTC Adventure.” Students can receive credit for up to 4 “Get Out and Go” events a semester.   ​

​We always want to encourage students to follow safety guidelines. This includes but is not limited to wearing a mask, social distancing when needed or possible, washing hands/using hand sanitizer regularly, traveling with others when possible, and being aware of surroundings, especially at night.​

Adventures​

Learn about Chattanooga’s jazz and blues “Big 9 Legends”

Listen to these podcast episodes about the Big 9 (about 30 minutes) while taking ​ a walk from campus to the Big 9 Legends Mural. (763 E. MLK Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403).  ​

Take a stroll with Chattanooga’s baseball history ​

Located adjacent to Engel Stadium and UTC’s intramural sports complex is a paved walking path with 5 permanent markers detailing Chattanooga’s rich baseball history. The path is accessible via the sports complex’s O’Neal Street entrance (499 O Neal St, Chattanooga, TN 37404).  ​

Walk the Walnut Street Walking Bridge and Explore Coolidge Park ​

The Walnut Street Bridge, built in 1891, is one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridge, and connects downtown Chattanooga to the north shore. Take in some of the prettiest views of Chattanooga and the river. On the downtown side is a memorial dedicated to the tragic but heroic story of Ed Johnson. This new Memorial is meant to be a welcoming, contemplative space where people of all background's cultures can learn, reflect, mourn and find inspiration. Below the iconic Walnut Street bridge on the Northshore is Coolidge Park where there are fountains, statues, cool attractions, and fun paths. From there, you can meander on the pathways by the river toward Renaissance Park. Its grassy knolls make it an artistic installment in and of itself. (1 Walnut Street)

​Learn more about the bridge and memorial here. ​

Bonus: Follow the numbered steps on Frazier Avenue and learn a new dance! ​

 ​

Check out different sections of the Chattanooga Riverwalk ​

Pick a stretch of Chattanooga’s 16.1-mile Riverwalk to walk or bike. There are dozens of places to hop onto the Riverwalk throughout Chattanooga and each stretch of path will let you immerse yourself in nature, culture, and people watching. Learn more about getting to the riverwalk here.  ​

​Bonus: On the stretch of riverwalk close to campus is the UTC barge and waterfront, where you can rent water equipment (very cheaply) for time on the river. Another section of the riverwalk leads to the Chickamauga dam!  ​

Step into another world at the Bluff View Arts District and immerse yourself at Ross’s Landing​

Just a short walk from UTC’s campus, is Bluff View Arts District. Explore the many nooks and crannies of this family-owned historic neighborhood. Check out the gardens, plazas, views, and courtyards, including the “River Gallery Sculpture Garden” and art installments outside of the Hunter Museum of  ​

Art. From there, take a 10-minute walk to Ross’s Landing. Tucked between the Tennessee Aquarium and the Tennessee River, Ross’s Landing marks the starting point of the Trail of Tears. In 1838 over 1000 Cherokee were forced to march or be shipped west of their homeland due to the Indian Removal Act. The Passage, connecting downtown to Ross’s Landing, is a memorial walkway featuring a weeping wall and ceramic discs that tell stories of the displaced Cherokee.  ​

Bluff View Arts District: (411 E 2nd St, Chattanooga, TN 37403) ​

Ross’s Landing: (201 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402) ​

Bonus: The Hunter Museum of Art offers local college students $18 year-long ​memberships (less than the price of a normal day ticket) OR free admission to their permanent collection on the first Thursday of every month from 4 – 8 pm (“Throwback Thursday”). Learn more here. ​

Feel tiny in the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park ​

This 100% outdoor, free art museum is a park that showcases over 40 large-format sculptures. With a stunning view of Lookout Mountain, this park is a great place to spend time hanging out and checking out art. ​

View a park map and learn more here. (1800 Polk St, Chattanooga, TN 37408) ​

Reflect on breathtaking views and Civil War history at Craven’s House​

Located on Lookout Mountain as part of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, Craven’s house was a major focal point in the Civil War  ​

“Battle Above the Clouds,” and the house’s history tells an interesting story. Check out the views from the house, explore the monuments and surrounding buildings, and even consider taking one of the hikes accessible from this area.​

Bonus: ​

Craven’s House and Point Park Loop Hike: https://www.hikethesouth.com/hikes/cravens-house-and-point-park-loop​

Craven’s House to Sunset Rock Hike: https://www.hikethesouth.com/hikes/sunset-rock-via-cravens-house​

(Cravens House, Point Park Visitor Ctr, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350). ​

Take a hike around Stringer’s Ridge​

This 92 acre park is located just minutes from downtown Chattanooga. With plenty of trails for bikers, hikers, and pets, this is a great way to quickly enjoy nature. Start at the Spear’s Avenue entrance and take a short hike to the beautiful overlook of Chattanooga. Make sure to check the weather, pack water, wear good shoes, take a friend or tell them where you are going, and have a fully charged phone with you. Follow the trail signs and enjoy the outdoors! ​
Bonus: Try to find the lookout! It's one of the best views in town!​

Learn more about stringer’s ridge and getting to the overlook here​

(1312 Spears Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37405)​

Attend any UTC Athletics event-especially one you have never attended before!

https://gomocs.com

 

Walker Center for Teaching and Learning

Walker Center for Teaching and Learning

Department Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm