Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge

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

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

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