FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2002
FY02-44
ORAU Awards Education Grants to Six Local Schools
OAK RIDGE, TENN—Six local schools recently received almost $12,000 in educational grants from Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). Grant award amounts vary depending upon the schools’ requests. 2002 Grant recipients include:
- Anderson County Schools
- Andersonville Elementary School
- Lake City Middle School
- Norwood Elementary School
- Willow Brook Elementary School
- Woodland Elementary School
The key mission of ORAU is to advance excellence in scientific research and education. “While we already offer programs for university students and faculty from across the country,” said ORAU President Ron Townsend, “we also want to continue to enhance math and science education of the students in our own back yard. This program is just one of the ways we hope to do that.”
Lake City Middle School will use the grant to develop a math and technology computer lab that will serve more than 340 students. The Anderson County School System plans to place one Fast Plant experimental system in each of the counties’ elementary schools, with in-kind money matched by the county for instructional techniques and strategies. Woodland Elementary in Oak Ridge will boost its emphasis on science by setting up a science room and hosting a school-wide science fair.
Norwood Elementary is setting its sights on a portable science lab to be used by fifth graders. Willow Brook Elementary in Oak Ridge will purchase a digital camcorder and DVD recorders that will allow them to share lessons and enhance students’ enthusiasm for learning. Andersonville Elementary will use its grant money to establish a permanent laboratory classroom for use during and after school hours.
“We were very impressed with the ideas and creativity presented in these proposals,” said Townsend. “It’s very obvious that the teachers are working hard to make their schools a more high-tech learning environment and to offer unique ways to keep their students interested and learning. We’ll definitely be continuing this program next year.”
ORAU also has a Volunteers in Education Team (VET) that works to enhance science education in East Tennessee. VET also offers grants to area schools and provides volunteer speakers, equipment donations, and technical expertise at no cost to the requesting school.
For more information on Oak Ridge Associated Universities, the ORAU Education Grant Program, or the Volunteers in Education Team, visit www.orau.org/community/.
ORAU is a university consortium leveraging the scientific strength of 86 major research institutions to advance science and education by partnering with national laboratories, government agencies, and private industry. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy.