Beyond the Classroom Challenge
How does the Beyond the Classroom Challenge work?
- Sign up to receive a weekly list of the best fun, free events on campus and in the community.
- 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.
- Complete a post-challenge reflection survey and turn in a photo.
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, Steve Angle, a celebratory dinner with your fellow award winners, priority registration during the registration period of the following semester and all points accumulate toward being recognized as a ThinkAchieve Graduate.
Beyond the Classroom Challenge
Weekly Events for 9/15-9/21
In-Person/Online Events
Monday, September 15
The American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibition on Tour
9:00 am – 6:00 pm (Minimum Commitment: 1 hour)
Downtown Library, 1001 Broad Street
The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation. The exhibit runs September 15–24, 2025, on the 3rd Floor of the Downtown Library. Some events require an RSVP. Free and open during regular library hours, with special events offered by the Chattanooga DAR and the Library. Learn more here.
Tuesday, September 16
International Tea Time
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Lupton Lobby
Join the UTC Center for Global Education for tea, cookies, games, and good company! Come meet international and domestic students and learn about the upcoming Center for Global Education events this semester. RSVP here.
Fall Grad Fair
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Library Roth Reading Room- 4th Floor
Interested in advancing your career and education? If so, the UTC Graduate School invites you to attend their Fall Grad Fair. At the Grad Fair, you’ll have the chance to explore programs, connect with experts, learn more, and enjoy perks! Register and learn more here.
Lead Belay Clinic
UTC Outdoors
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Learn how to lead climb and lead belay at the UTC Climbing Wall. Each clinic will provide in-depth instruction and experiential learning to safely lead climb indoors. This clinic is free and requires pre-registration in the Outdoors Center Office, on the first floor of the Aquatics and Recreation Center (ARC). All equipment is included. *You must be belay certified in order to participate in this event.* Learn more here.
Wednesday, September 17
The American Revolution Experience: Constitution Day
9:30 am – 4:15 pm
Downtown Library, 1001 Broad Street
Drop by anytime between 9:30 am to 4:15 pm to join us for Constitution Day events at the Downtown Library, with a Proclamation of Constitution Week, workshops with genealogist Pam McConnell, a community reading and signing of the Constitution, and more. Some events require an RSVP. Learn more here.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration: Culture, Music and Community
5:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Chamberlain Field
Join us for a vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in Chamberlain Field. Delicious, free food starts at 5 (while supplies last) and there will be a live Mariachi performance at 5:30. Some local vendors and organizations will also be there giving out information and free samples/demonstrations. Let's honor the richness of Hispanic Heritage Month through music, flavors and fellowship. Free and open to the public. Learn more and RSVP here.
Thursday, September 18
Write & Chatt
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Adelle’s Creperie, 400 East Main St.
Write & Chatt is a supportive community of writers and aspiring writers who come together to pursue the art and craft of writing. No experience is necessary. We will write, share, offer feedback, and talk about writing. Participants are welcome to bring writings of any kind to share or follow one of our themes. The theme for this week is Food-Inspired Poems and Stories! Pencils and paper provided! Learn more here.
Ways to Wellbeing: Transformative Strategies to Improve Mental Health
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Derthick Lecture Hall
Join us for an evening dedicated to advancing mental health and wellbeing. This free, public event offers the opportunity to network with mental health advocates and professionals from 4:00–5:00 pm, enjoy complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on transformative strategies to improve mental health. Learn more here and register here.
Stretch Your Mind: Poetry Meets Yoga Sessions
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
1100 Market Street, 5th Floor, Edney Building
Beginner-friendly desk-and-chair yoga, mixed with poetry writing prompts. No mat or writing experience needed. Stretch Your Mind will be geared towards people who are new to yoga, and those who spend a majority of their days sitting at a desk. Yoga Instructor, Kate Landers will lead participants through a sequence designed to ease tension in the neck, shoulders, lower back, wrists, hips - everywhere that aches after a long day of typing on a keyboard. All exercises will be performed while sitting in a chair or standing while using a table as optional support. There will not be any floorwork, so no mat is required. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable, stretchy clothing. The yoga sequences will be split into two 20-minute practices, and in between there will be a poetry writing session. Meet on the 5th floor of the Edney Building. Learn more here.
Fresh Out the Shoebox Interactive Poetry Session
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
1100 Market Street, 5th Floor, Edney Building
Free, open to readers, writers, and listeners of poetry of all ages. Located on the 5th floor of the Edney building. Fresh Out the Shoebox is a casual gathering of writers and non-writers where poetry is shared and discussed in a judgement-free, supportive environment. This is a great place to meet new people, to share new and old poetry that you've written and to be part of a conversation about the poetry that is shared. Come prepared to make new friends and new connections. Learn more here.
Friday, September 19
Day of Caring
7:45 am – 12:00 pm
Wolford Family Athletic Center, 530 Vine Street
UTC is proud to once again partner with the United Way of Greater Chattanooga for the 21st Annual Day of Caring on Friday, September 19. This city-wide event is one of the region’s largest volunteer service initiatives, bringing together more than 500 community members. Last year, 75 UTC volunteers participated—doubling the number from the year before. For 2025, our goal is to engage at least 100 students, faculty, staff, and alumni to serve alongside our neighbors across Chattanooga. Volunteer projects include preparing and sorting food, organizing pantries, painting, and building projects at service sites across the city. Volunteers are needed from 7:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Breakfast, transportation, and lunch are provided. Transportation will be available for all UTC students, faculty, and staff who volunteer. Learn more and RSVP here.
Intro to Bike Skills and Mountain Bike Techniques with SORBA
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Hubert Fry Center, 4301 Amnicola Hwy
Mountain biking is a fun way to exercise and connect with nature. If you’re curious about leaving the asphalt behind and gearing up for the trails, this Intro to Mountain Biking Fundamentals course is designed for you! Learn the fundamentals of mountain biking from our experienced instructors through skills demonstration and practice in a controlled setting. You don’t have to have prior mountain biking experience to participate, but you must be able to ride a bike confidently.
Saturday, September 20
Middle Creek Bouldering
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
UTC Outdoors
Join us to explore "Middle Earth" on this one-day outing. Middle Creek has options for both beginners and advanced climbers. No experience is needed for this trip. Learn how to boulder outside, place crash pads, spot climbers, and improve your climbing technique. Cost includes equipment, instruction, and transportation. Please bring enough water for yourself and snacks for the day! Please email [email protected] to get a voucher and pre-registration information for this event. Please note that space is limited, if you receive a voucher, we expect you to attend. If you do not attend, we may not give you a voucher in the future.
Stringer’s Branch Litter Cleanup
10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Red Bank City Park, 3817 Redding Rd
Participate in National Clean Up Day at Red Bank City Park. You must make an account to RSVP. RSVP here.
Chatta Town Tasting Festival
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
140 Riverfront Parkway, #672952
Get ready to dive into a delicious world of local flavors, with food samples ranging from just $1 to $10. This is your chance to taste a variety of mouthwatering dishes from the best vendors around! From hearty American favorites to savory Italian pasta, bold Asian flavors, zesty Caribbean dishes, and much more, there's something to satisfy every craving. With such affordable prices, you’ll be able to sample a little bit of everything without breaking the bank. Shop from local artisans, and groove to smooth live music! This event is free to attend! Learn more here.
Plein Air Demo with David Boyd
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
River Gallery, 400 E 2nd St
Enjoy a demonstration of artist David Boyd’s process in creating plein air art. “My paintings are my memories, and accordingly, some of my paintings take the angle of a child’s viewpoint; lower to the ground.” -David Plein. Learn more here.
Sunday, September 21
Picture This: Photo Processing
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Downtown Library, 1001 Broad Street
Join the Chattanooga Public Library in the 4th Floor event space to learn all about editing photographs! When you attend Picture This: Photo Processing, you will learn the basics of photo editing, how to set up your own free accounts with popular photo editing services, and tips and tricks for producing the look you want no matter what tool you’re using. Bring high-quality digital versions of images you’d like to edit (if you don’t have any, we can provide a few!). Patrons should bring: Digital copies of photographs that they want to edit, Personal devices they plan to edit on (optional). Spots are limited! RSVP here (required to attend).
Library Events
Monday, September 15
Free Workshop: PowerPoint: Back to Basics
12:15 pm - 1:15 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: What is an Annotated Bibliography?
3:35 pm – 4:20 pm
Online
Has your professor assigned you an annotated bibliography this semester? Come learn the basics of compiling and formatting an annotated bibliography regardless of the subject matter. RSVP here.
Tuesday, September 16
Free Workshop: What is an Annotated Bibliography?
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Online
Has your professor assigned you an annotated bibliography this semester? Come learn the basics of compiling and formatting an annotated bibliography regardless of the subject matter. RSVP here.
Wednesday, September 17
Free Workshop: What is an Annotated Bibliography?
10:10 am – 10:55 am
Online
Has your professor assigned you an annotated bibliography this semester? Come learn the basics of compiling and formatting an annotated bibliography regardless of the subject matter. RSVP here.
Free Workshop: Understanding Media Manipulation
11:15 am – 12:05 pm
Library Room 205
Understand how misinformation moves from social media to traditional media, and the impact it has on our lives. Topics include analyzing images and captions posted by influencers, breaking down hashtags, and spotting deep fakes. RSVP here.
Thursday, September 18
Free Workshop: What is an Annotated Bibliography?
11:00 am – 11:45 am
Online
Has your professor assigned you an annotated bibliography this semester? Come learn the basics of compiling and formatting an annotated bibliography regardless of the subject matter. RSVP here.
Free Workshop: What is an Annotated Bibliography?
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Online
Has your professor assigned you an annotated bibliography this semester? Come learn the basics of compiling and formatting an annotated bibliography regardless of the subject matter. RSVP here.
Friday, September 19
Free Workshop: Avoiding Plagiarism
12:20 pm – 1:10 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.