Two South Clinton Elementary students are excited to test their new drone after putting it together.
Eight educators from Anderson, Roane and Scott counties received more than $30,000 in teaching materials and supplies through ORAU’s 2025 Education Grants program. These grants will support innovative projects designed to inspire students and enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in the region.
From kindergarten STEM labs to high school robotics programs, and from spatial learning tools to drones, ORAU is equipping teachers with cutting-edge resources to meet evolving statewide curriculum standards and engage students in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.
Journalism students in Bobbie Clements’ Rockwood High School production class test out their new green screen and studio lights.
Since the program’s inception in 2002, ORAU has awarded more than $580,000 in grants to local schools, underscoring its commitment to advancing STEM education and strengthening communities.
“This year, we are thrilled to fund innovative STEM projects that will empower teachers and inspire students,” said Meghan Millwood, ORAU president and CEO. “Science and learning lie at the heart of ORAU’s mission, and we are proud to support East Tennessee teachers by providing the tools they need to create dynamic learning environments. By investing in these classrooms, we are investing in the future. We’re helping students build the skills and passion needed to pursue careers in STEM fields. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have on students and their communities.”
Teachers at Glenwood Elementary got right to work with their new 3D pens to work on students’ spatial learning skills.
2025 ORAU Education Grant Recipients:
- Courtney Bass, Norwood Elementary School: STEM stations including gears, kinetic ball tracks and building bricks for kindergarten.
- Mark Buckner, Oak Ridge High School: Equipment for the robotics team including LEGO bricks with motors and sensors, acrylic sheets and filament.
- Bobbie Clements, Rockwood High School: Technology for the journalism production team such as lights, cameras, microphones and a green screen.
- Dawn Huckeby, Robbins Elementary School: STEM stories and activities for the school library.
- Kimberly O’Dell, North and South Clinton Elementary Schools: Drones for STEM programs to learn about accelerometers, gyroscopes, color sensors, obstacle detection and block coding.
- Ramona Owen, Norwood Elementary School: STEM resources for classroom such as makerspace materials, marble run kits and building kits.
- Brandi Poore, Clinton Elementary School: Sensory STEM lab for kindergarten.
- Clark Ward, Glenwood Elementary School: Spatial reasoning tools to help with fine motor skills, engineering and design.
Grant recipients were selected through a competitive proposal process open to teachers in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane and Scott counties.
Through its Education Grants program, ORAU continues to demonstrate its dedication to fostering STEM opportunities and empowering educators to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.
For more information about this and other ORAU-supported programs in education, visit K-12 STEM Education Programs.