ORAU is always on the lookout to support teachers who are committed to strengthening K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM) education. Specifically, ORAU’s Education Grants program is seeking applications right now from teachers in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane and Scott Counties in East Tennessee. We launched this program in 2002, and since that time, we’ve given away more than $550,000 in resources.
The opportunity on the table is for teachers to share a proposal for a STEM project. Each year, we budget $30,000 to help fund as many of these projects as possible. Last year we broke the budget and awarded more than $33,000 to nine teachers for all kinds of initiatives.
Here are few highlights from some of the 2024 educators with whom we partnered:
Huntsville Elementary librarian, Judy Carson, shows off the STEM activities she received through her ORAU ed grant.
Huntsville Elementary School librarian Judy Carson believes that critical thinking belongs in every corner of education, so last year, she applied for an ORAU STEM education grant for her school library. She was awarded funds to purchase activities to accompany story time. Now, when students hear the tale of a troll under the bridge, they have the opportunity to construct their own bridge to meet the challenge of avoiding the troll!
Students at Anderson County Career and Technical Center use industrial-quality 3-D printers they received from an ORAU ed grant.
Meanwhile, students at Anderson County Career and Technical Center are now using industrial-quality 3-D printers, which instructor Chad Feiock says is exactly the kind of experience that will give them an advantage as they move into future STEM careers. Feiock applied for an ORAU ed grant, and today, his students are benefiting from this program. From design thinking to software proficiency, this valuable hands-on opportunity will produce capable men and women for our workforce.
JROTC cadets at Clinton High School received a flight simulator as part of an ORAU Education Grant.
Retired Lt. Col. Timothy Vowell wanted to inspire his Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. (JROTC) cadets at Clinton High School to consider a career in aviation, so he wrote a proposal to incorporate a flight simulator into his curriculum and applied for a grant. With the funding he received, Clinton High School is outfitted with a great flight simulation experience to help students learn about aerospace science.
Clinton High School Math teacher Ligia Boundy’s geometry class uses graphing calculators ORAU purchased through an ed grant.
In the same school, Ligia Boundy needed a classroom set of graphing calculators for her geometry class. Clinton High School is a Title 1 school, so that was an easy yes for the selection committee!
Students in the special education program at Oliver Springs High School received a composting system through ORAU Education Grants.
Finally, educator Carrie Giles of Oliver Springs High School requested a composting system for her school’s special education program. She explained that her students had previously gotten into watching seeds grow into plants, so Giles wanted to give her class the opportunity to do some hands-on learning as they study our environment through managing a worm farm. Our grant selection committee loved the idea.
Do you have a plan to enrich STEM learning at your school but don’t have the money to make it happen? ORAU is poised to fund more projects in 2025.
Once again, we’ve identified areas of need and are inviting educators in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane and Scott counties to apply for the 2025 program. The deadline is Friday, April 25. See this page for eligibility and details: Education Grants at ORAU.
Projects are funded based on the quality of the proposal, educational enrichment, creativity and available funds. Funding decisions are made by a committee that includes former classroom educators. Applicants will be notified in May if ORAU will be funding their project.