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K-12 STEM Education Programs

Male and female students building robot vehicle in after school computer coding class

Impact Areas

Educating the next generation of STEM leaders

ORAU offers professional development programs to K-12 teachers at no cost every summer to enhance their knowledge and skills in STEM education. Our hands-on, multifaceted programs give teachers opportunities to test new techniques and keep up with technological innovations. The goal—to help teachers motivate and inspire tomorrow’s STEM leaders.

For students, we offer real-life laboratory experiences, hands-on activities and personalized experiences through programs we manage in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission and other STEM partners.

The future of STEM is in their hands. Through these programs, we help them get there.

Extreme Classroom Makeover 2024 applications now open

ORAU’s annual Extreme Classroom Makeover will award $25,000 to an area teacher in a friendly competition where the winner gets to update their classroom with the newest technology.

The competition will award one 3rd through 10th grade math or science teacher at a public school within a 50-mile radius of Oak Ridge, Tenn., with $25,000 in new equipment to update their classroom with their wish list of tech gear. One runner-up will receive $5,000 in new equipment. There will also be a $2,500 viewers’ choice award winner selected by the general public from among all entries received.

Learn more about the program

Danielle Roderick, teacher at Catlettsburg Elementary School in Sevierville, Tennessee, was named winner of the $25,000 grand prize in ORAU’s 2023 Extreme Classroom Makeover

Contact us

For more information about K-12 educator professional development, please contact K12@orau.org.