Partnerships for Innovation
For the second year, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is accepting applications from local schools and those within a 50-mile radius of Oak Ridge, for an Extreme Classroom Makeover. ORAU defines a 50-mile radius as any school located in a county whose border is within 50 miles of Oak Ridge, Tenn. To see a complete list of eligible school counties, go to the Eligible Counties page.
The contest is open to public school teachers of grades 5-8 who are teaching science and/or mathematics. Entrants must have the consent of their principals and, if chosen, be willing to have their 2010-2011 classroom experience highlighted on the Internet and in various media outlets. Teachers, students, and even parents whose children are benefiting from this initiative will be invited/encouraged to blog about this year-long experience on the Extreme Classroom Web site.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2009 | Call for Intent to Apply submissions opens |
| December 4, 2009 | Intent to Apply deadline (Note: the full application and a 3-4 minute video is not due at this time.) |
| January 22, 2010 | Full Application and Video Entry deadline |
| February 2010 | Selection Committee Review |
| End of March/First of April 2010 | Winner announced |
| May 2010 | Purchase decisions for technology/equipment made |
| May 2010 | ORAU develops custom training program for winning teacher |
| June - July 2010 | Teacher spends four weeks at ORAU undergoing training |
| June - July 2010 | ORAU works with school system to install new equipment in classroom |
| August 2010 | School starts |
| Monthly from August 2010 through May 2011 | Writer and photographer visit the classroom to develop a progression of articles on the evolution of the winning teacher, the classroom, and how the students respond to these changes |
Entrants will be required to submit an intent to apply, a written application and also a 3-4 minute video that illustrates potential uses of technology and the need for technology in their classrooms. The video must include the teacher who is applying and one or more students.
Please feel free to be as creative as you like. Examples of possible approaches include a documentary, a classroom experiment, a classroom exercise, a dance, a musical, etc. See video entries from the 2009 contest.
The winner will be determined by a panel of educators and ORAU staff.
Entries will be judged on how well they:
The prize package will include $25,000 worth of technology and acceptable classroom improvements awarded to the school on behalf of the teacher. The following is an example of the recommended types of technology and equipment, with approximate associated costs (the winner will have the opportunity to consult with ORAU staff on the technology and equipment most suitable to his or her teaching environment):
In addition to the classroom face-lift and technology infusion into the classroom, the teacher will receive a custom designed, professional development and training plan that will be implemented during Summer 2010 to effectively integrate the technology into his or her classroom. Ongoing technical and pedagogical support will be provided throughout the academic year (2010-2011).
ORAU will visit the classroom each month during the 2009-2010 academic year, with a writer and photography crew, to document the teacher’s use of technology and the students’ engagement. Over the course of the school year, ORAU will publish articles about the class, students, and teachers and how this new classroom is affecting their learning.
ORAU will also help the teacher construct a classroom Web site that will be used to communicate with parents and the students. A section of the site will be dedicated to a blog that will be hosted by the teacher, and students and parents will be encouraged to contribute. The teacher will be required to develop a minimum of four blog or journal entries per month.
The teacher and parent/guardian of students appearing in video or photography must sign and submit appropriate media release forms.
From the 2010 Application page, you can submit your intent to apply, full application, and upload your video entry for the Extreme Classroom Makeover. Please note that you must submit an intent-to-apply form by the December 4 deadline in order to be eligible to apply with the full application and video entry in January 2010
For more information about the Center for Science Education, the classroom, student and educator opportunities, or other science education programs, please contact:
Marie Westfall
Oak Ridge Associated Universities/
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
865.576.3425
marie.westfall@orau.org