Extreme Classroom Makeover

Extreme Classroom Makeover

Funder: Oak Ridge Associated Universities Inc (ORAU)

Award Amount: $25,000 in technology and equipment

Program Description:
An annual competition that awards one public school STEM teacher with $25,000 in new equipment and technology to upgrade their classroom. The program was launched in 2008 to help improve STEM education in public schools and has awarded over $500,000 in technology to local schools since its inception.

Eligibility

• Grade levels: Must teach grades 3-10
• Subject areas: STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math)
• Geographic scope: Public schools within 50 miles of Oak Ridge, Tennessee
• Institution type: Public schools only

Program Focus

• Advancing STEM education and student engagement
• Providing cutting-edge tools and technology for classrooms
• Supporting teachers in reaching students in the modern age of learning
• Encouraging broader benefits (grade-level or department-wide impact preferred over individual classroom improvements)

Application Requirements

• Must submit a video (creative requirement)
• Application requires enthusiasm and vision for STEM education
• Must demonstrate how the makeover will benefit students and potentially extend impact beyond individual classroom
• Entries are evaluated on creativity, passion, and potential impact
• There is a "Viewers' Choice" voting component

Geographic Scope

East Tennessee, specifically within 50 miles of Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Contact Information

Communications Team:
• Pam Bonee, Director of Communications: (865) 603-5142, Pam.Bonee@orau.org
• Wendy West, Manager of Communications: (865) 207-7953, Wendy.West@orau.org

Background

ORAU launched this program in conjunction with the completion of its new Oak Ridge office building that includes a Center for Science Education and technology-rich demonstration classroom. The program addresses the challenge that teachers and school systems often struggle to fund quality science, technology, engineering and math exploration opportunities for their students.