It looks like the Claxton Elementary School community won’t have to wait as long as they originally thought for state-of-the-art upgrades. The building is more than 100 years old, and the school board recently purchased land to construct a new facility. The anticipated completion date is sometime during the 2026-2027 school year. But Stormie Adkins, a 4th grade math and science teacher is getting upgraded technology before then. She applied for ORAU’s 2025 Extreme Classroom Makeover competition and won runner-up and the viewers’ choice, earning a combined prize of $7,500 that is to go toward new tech.
Adkins is the kind of teacher who looks at 9-year-old students and sees them as future computer programmers and coders, veterinarians and teachers. She opened her video submission with that concept: a tight shot of small hands with career aspirations scribbled on top, heading into their classroom.
In her third year of teaching, Adkins offered a variety of ideas for how she would like to use this kind of grant money (such as STEM kits and a portable learning board), but the first thing she listed was a desire to better connect with her students on the most basic level. “I have many students from other countries who do not speak English,” Adkins wrote in her application. “We currently have to use my phone for communication, however, if I had iPads my students would have the ability to communicate anytime and anywhere.”
ORAU reviewed dozens of applications from educators around East Tennessee who were vying for money to improve the technology in their classrooms. The grand prize of this annual competition is $25,000; runner-up receives $5,000; viewers’ choice is awarded $2,500.
ORAU surprised Adkins with the announcement that she won $7,500 for her classroom on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Claxton Elementary School is in the process of seeking STEAM designation in the state, which is a special recognition for leadership in science, technology, engineering, arts and math education. Adkins believed an out-of-the-ordinary gathering was due to a site visit as part of that STEAM designation process, but when ORAU crashed into the room with ballons, cameras and a $7,500 check, she realized what was really happening.
“I want our students to fall in love with learning and all the possibilities that education will open up for them. I want them to know they have the skills and tools that are preparing them to be the best they can be and succeed in the future,” Adkins wrote in her application.
Jim Sears, ORAU senior vice president and director of government services, was at the surprise announcement to present the over-sized check and thank Adkins for her commitment to math and science education.
“We love Ms. Adkins’ ideas and her desire to connect with her students,” Sears said. “At ORAU, we are deeply committed to empowering educators who are passionately advancing STEM education. By awarding $7,500 to Ms. Adkins, we are not just funding essential classroom equipment; we are investing in the future of Claxton Elementary’s bright young minds and supporting the school’s ambitious journey toward achieving a coveted STEAM designation. It’s our privilege to play a part in shaping an environment where curiosity meets opportunity.”
Claxton Elementary has been working on its STEAM designation since 2022 and hopes to achieve that status this school year.
The Extreme Classroom Makeover grand prize winner was announced on March 10.
ORAU started the Extreme Classroom Makeover program 16 years ago as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen STEM education throughout East Tennessee. Since then, ORAU has awarded more than $500,000 to more than 30 East Tennessee schools.
STEM educators who teach third through tenth grade students and work for a public school within 50 miles of Oak Ridge are eligible to apply. Applicants are asked to submit a video that creatively explains their need for technology in the classroom and how this equipment will improve the educational experience of their students.
Watch Adkins’ video submission:
Watch the grand prize-winning video submission: