As two dozen youngsters learned to use Sphero robots in the background, representatives of ORAU and the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge (CMOR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) extending their joint commitment to offer innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning experiences for early childhood and K-12 students on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Ashley Stowe, Ph.D., ORAU Chief Research and University Partnerships Officer, and Brian Arrington, President of the CMOR Board of Directors, signed the MOU that renews the ongoing commitment of ORAU and CMOR to work together toward enhancing STEM education offerings for students in Anderson County and beyond. Stowe serves on the CMOR Board of Directors. Arrington is Chief Human Resources Officer for Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
ORAU has been leading the way in STEM education for nearly 80 years and CMOR has a track record for bringing children and their families together to enjoy its hands-on exhibits and educational programs for more than 50 years.
While the signing ceremony was taking place, students participating in CMOR’s Wonderful Wednesday program learned how to use and program Sphero robots in an educational session led by members of ORAU’s K-12 STEM education team.
“Now is a great time to remind the community that the Children's Museum is important to the awareness and the education of our youth, and that we, ORAU, are committed to providing STEM education tools and committed to growing STEM participants and STEM leaders even at the youngest ages,” Stowe said.
“STEM education is more important now than ever before,” Arrington said. “This is a region founded and built on STEM. This is a demonstration of our commitment to the development of future STEM leaders here in Oak Ridge.”
Examples of possible programs to be developed include:
- Early childhood and elementary (K-4 or 5) programs
- Meet a scientist programs
- Chemical magic shows
- Math and Movement academy
- Science education programs in collaboration with other community organizations
CMOR’s mission is to provide fun and diverse educational programs and exhibits emphasizing play and hands-on learning in arts, science, history culture and healthy living, while collecting and preserving objects in a historic Manhattan Project Community. To learn more about CMOR, visit www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org.