In April, Logan Woods, a teacher at Sevierville Intermediate School, learned he was the grand prize winner of ORAU’s 2026 Extreme Classroom Makeover competition, earning $25,000 for new classroom technology. Not only did he win the top prize, but his video submission also won the popular vote in the Viewers’ Choice Award, adding another $2,500 to support his vision for the school’s computer science technology lab.
ORAU worked closely with Woods to order and deliver the equipment on his wish list before the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Throughout the summer, Woods spent nearly 100 hours transforming the space and preparing it for students.
When classes began, he introduced his students to a wide range of new learning tools, including 3D printers, iMac computers, robotics equipment, virtual reality headsets, a driving simulator and a greenhouse with smart irrigation. He’s especially excited about the hands-on career exploration opportunities these tools provide for students at his rural, Title 1 school—a school serving a large population of students from low-income families. The opportunities include virtual reality job simulations, a driving simulator and greenhouse technology.
Now, Woods and his students are ready to show off the results. Watch the classroom reveal in the video below!
Are you inspired by what’s possible? Applications are now open for ORAU’s 2027 Extreme Classroom Makeover competition.
To apply, teachers must:
- Teach a STEM subject in grades 3-10
- Work at a public school within 50 miles of Oak Ridge, Tennessee
- Submit a two- to three-minute video creatively illustrating the need and potential uses of new technology in the classroom
- Complete the brief online application by Dec. 31, 2026
Need help getting started? Check out our previous blog post with tips for creating a strong application video: Insider tips for your $25K Extreme Classroom Makeover application!
We also know teachers already juggle a lot. Parents are welcome to help teachers record and/or edit their application videos. You can even share this flyer with a favorite STEM teacher to help spread the word.
Good luck!