ORAU Awards More Than $35,000 in Education Grants to Area Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2008
FY08-51

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—In accordance with its goal of enhancing scientific research and education, ORAU gave 16 area schools more than $35,000 in ORAU Education Grants on August 25 at Pollard Technology Conference Center. Ten schools from the Anderson County school district, three schools from the Oak Ridge City school district, two schools from the Clinton City school district and one surprise grant awarded to the City of Clinton—all of whom received grants for math and science education.

The Clinton City school district was one of the big winners, receiving a $5,100 award to help fund the purchase of two SMART Boards—interactive, electronic whiteboards that can enhance instruction and learning—to be placed at city elementary schools. “I enjoy this more than anything, and that’s making investments in education,” ORAU President Ron Townsend said.

The surprise grant for $5,000 went to the City of Clinton to assist them in the purchase of laptop computers for every sixth grader, who upon graduation to the seventh grade would be able to keep the laptop for a lifetime of learning. “Sometimes you run across something that's too exciting not to be a part of,” Dr. Townsend said. “This education initiative by the City of Clinton is the right thing to do for the future for our children.”

The evening’s other grant winners included:

• Andersonville Elementary School—a $1,100 check for the purchase of electronic circuit boards to help students understand alternative energy and energy conservation
• Briceville Elementary School—a $1,450 check to purchase “Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading” science and literacy kits that will engage students in a content rich curriculum
• Claxton Elementary School—three checks totaling $1,200 for math and science materials and for the funding of a science outreach program that would provide hands-on learning for first graders
• Clinton Elementary School—a $500 check for the purchase of a variety of science materials, including a zoom scope TV microscope and funds for science speakers, to give kindergarteners hands-on experience with science concepts
• Clinton High School—two checks totaling $3,400 toward the purchase of a human cadaver to enhance the anatomy and physiology laboratory, and a multimedia cart for the solar classroom
• Glenwood Elementary School—a $475 check for “Rocking and Rolling with Math” materials that give students hands-on experience, a variety of math problems and ability to further explore concepts
• Grand Oaks Elementary School—a $2,000 check for the “Grow It and They Will Learn: The Wetlands Project,” which will allow students to learn outdoors and expand hands-on learning experiences
• Jefferson Middle School—a $1,800 check for the purchase of microscopes to help enhance the science curriculum
• Lake City Middle School—a $2,400 check toward the purchase of Lab Quest technology that will enable students to collect data with sensors to help implement the curriculum provided by Newton's Universe
• Linden Elementary School—a $2,300 check for the purchase of materials for an interactive, technology-rich classroom, and to train staff on how to use it
• Norris Elementary School—a $750 check for the purchase of backpack field bags to aid students in observation and collection at the wetland project, as well as the purchase of workbooks to encourage mastery of concepts
• Norris Middle School—a $1,325 check for the purchase of a solar-powered weather station to address atmospheric cycles in seventh grade science curriculum
• Norwood Elementary School—a $2,900 check for the purchase of materials to turn an existing wetland into a working math, science and technology lab
• Oak Ridge High School—a $3,650 check toward the purchase of a new course, AGT Math Bridge, which will help students fulfill a newly required fourth math credit

Each award, based on proposals submitted by the individual schools, was presented by Dr. Townsend and included a check presentation, along with a brief description of each project and its intended goals.

Teachers also received ORAU gift bags, which contained school supplies and a four-port USB hubs courtesy of IDAmerica.

Since 2002—the beginning of the education grant program—ORAU has been able to provide more than $185,000 in math and science education grants to area schools.

“ORAU’s mission is to advance scientific research and education, and we’re delighted to partner with these teachers to help make that happen,” Dr. Townsend said.