Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge

Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge

Award/Program Type: Residential, hands-on STEM institute (fully funded - no cost to participants)

Status: Active program

Geographic Scope: Appalachian region (open to students and teachers from Appalachia)

Focus Areas: STEM education; hands-on research projects; community-based problem solving

Sponsorship: Sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission

Target Participants:

Students: Divided into three age groups:

- Middle school students
- Bridge students (grades 8-9)
- High school students

Teachers: K-12 educators interested in professional development

Program Components:

For Students:

Residential program at ORAU's Oak Ridge campus

Hands-on STEM research projects

Research focused on community problems with student teams developing solutions

Field trips to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

Visits to other local educational and research organizations

Learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in real-world context

For Teachers:

Two-week professional development program

Interaction with scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Learning from STEM subject matter experts

Professional development focused on enhancing STEM teaching knowledge and skills

Cost: All expenses paid (residential program covers lodging, meals, instruction)

Contact Information:

Pam Bonee, Director of Communications: (865) 603-5142, Pam.Bonee@orau.org

Wendy West, Manager of Communications: (865) 207-7953, Wendy.West@orau.org