Partnerships for Innovation
For the fifth year, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is accepting applications from local schools and those within a 50-mile radius of Oak Ridge, for an Extreme Classroom Makeover. ORAU defines a 50-mile radius as any school located in a county whose border is within 50 miles of Oak Ridge, Tenn. To see a complete list of eligible school counties, go to the Eligible Counties page.
The contest is open to public school teachers of grades 3-10 who are teaching science and/or mathematics. Entrants must have the consent of their principals and, if chosen, be willing to have their 2013-2014 classroom experience highlighted on the Internet and in various media outlets. Teachers, students, and even parents whose children are benefiting from this initiative will be invited/encouraged to blog about this year-long experience on the Extreme Classroom website.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| August 8, 2012 | Call for Intent to Apply submissions opens |
| September 7, 2012 | Intent to Apply deadline (Note: the full application and a 3-4 minute video is not due at this time.) |
| January 31, 2013 | Full Application and Video Entry deadline |
| February 2013 | Selection Committee Review |
| End of March/First of April 2013 | Winner announced |
| May 2013 | Purchase decisions for technology/equipment made |
| June - July 2013 | ORAU works with school system to install new equipment in classroom |
| August 2013 | School starts |
| Monthly from August 2013 through May 2014 | Teacher posts to ORAU created Extreme Classroom blog |
Entrants will be required to submit an intent to apply, a written application and also a 3-4 minute video that illustrates potential uses of technology and the need for technology in their classrooms. The video must include the teacher who is applying and one or more students.
Please feel free to be as creative as you like. Examples of possible approaches include a documentary, a classroom experiment, a classroom exercise, a dance, a musical, etc. See video entries from the 2012 contest.
The winner will be determined by a panel of educators and ORAU staff.
Entries will be judged on how well they:
The prize package will include $25,000 worth of technology and acceptable classroom improvements awarded to the school on behalf of the teacher. The following is an example of the recommended types of technology and equipment (the winner will have the opportunity to consult with ORAU staff on the technology and equipment most suitable to his or her teaching environment):
In addition to the classroom face-lift and technology infusion into the classroom, the teacher will receive access to the Center for Science Education’s Summer workshops which include classes to help effectively integrate the technology into his or her classroom.
ORAU will work with the winning teacher to document their use of technology and the students’ engagement. Over the course of the school year, ORAU will publish web features about the class, students, and teachers and how this new technology is impacting classroom learning.
ORAU will also help the teacher construct a classroom blog that will be used to communicate with parents and the students. The teacher will be required to develop a minimum of four blog or journal entries per month.
The teacher and parent/guardian of students appearing in video or photography must sign and submit appropriate media release forms.
After September 7, you can submit your full application and upload your video entry for the 2013 Extreme Classroom Makeover. Please note that you must submit an intent-to-apply form by the September 7 deadline in order to be eligible to apply with the full application and video entry by January 31, 2013.
For more information please contact:
Jenna Blair
Oak Ridge Associated Universities
865-574-8669
extremeclassroom@orau.org