ORAU funds $30K local classroom grants
South Clinton Elementary School students Keaton Cole and Dominic Hendershot hold up drones they programmed. Their teacher, Kimberly O’Dell, recently got a grant for the program from the nonprofit Oak Ridge Associated Universities.
“These grants will support innovative projects designed to inspire students and enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in the region,” a news release stated. “From kindergarten STEM labs to high school robotics programs, and from spatial learning tools to drones, ORAU is equipping teachers with cutting-edge resources to meet evolving statewide curriculum standards and engage students in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.”
While teachers in other counties were eligible for and received grants, six out of eight of the grantees were from the Oak Ridge, Clinton or Anderson County School systems.
Courtney Bass of Norwood Elementary School received STEM stations including gears, kinetic ball tracks and building bricks for kindergarten.
Mark Buckner of Oak Ridge High School received equipment for a robotics team including LEGO bricks with motors and sensors, acrylic sheets and filament.
Kimberly O’Dell of North and South Clinton elementary schools received drones for STEM programs to learn about accelerometers, gyroscopes, color sensors, obstacle detection and block coding.
Ramona Owen of Norwood Elementary School received STEM resources such as makerspace materials, marble run kits and building kits.
Brandi Poore, Clinton Elementary School, received a sensory STEM lab for kindergarten.
Clark Ward, Glenwood Elementary School received spatial reasoning tools to help with fine motor skills, engineering and design.
Honorees from outside Anderson County were Dawn Huckeby of Robbins Elementary School who received STEM stories and activities for the school library, and Bobbie Clements of Rockwood High School who received technology for a journalism production team such as lights, cameras, microphones and a green screen.
“This year, we are thrilled to fund innovative STEM projects that will empower teachers and inspire students,” said Meghan Millwood, ORAU president and CEO.
“Science and learning lie at the heart of ORAU’s mission, and we are proud to support East Tennessee teachers by providing the tools they need to create dynamic learning environments.” she said.
“We are investing in the future,” Millwood said. “We’re helping students build the skills and passion needed to pursue careers in STEM fields. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have on students and their communities.”
ORAU chose recipients through a competition open to teachers in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane and Scott counties.
