For Immediate Release
Contact: Veronica O’Hearn
veronica.ohearn@ettp.doe.gov
(865) 574-9102
Oak Ridge, Tenn., May 31, 2012 – URS | CH2M Oak Ridge LLC (UCOR) is pleased to
announce 24 winners of the UCOR Education Mini-Grant Program. One of UCOR’s primary
objectives is to support and encourage education initiatives. The Mini-Grant Program was
designed to recognize and support excellence in teaching by providing funds to assist classroom
teachers for specific projects or curricula, focusing primarily on science, technology,
engineering, and math.
“We have schools doing outstanding and exciting things in their classrooms, but many times they
are limited by a lack of materials and supplies. These grants will help schools provide creative
and innovative experiences for their students,” said Leo Sain, UCOR President and Project
Manager. “As a technology-based company, UCOR understands the importance of supporting
education. For the past couple of decades, fewer students have been pursuing math- and sciencerelated
careers. If we are to remain competitive, both as a company and a country, we must
reverse that trend. Helping schools excite students about math and science is one way of doing
that.”
The successful teachers, proposed projects, and schools are:
• Jason Abercrombie, “Establishment of Basic Biotechnology Infrastructure,” Halls High
School
• Cassie Belcher, “Barn Owls,” Philadelphia School
• Lynne Berney, “Owl Pellets and Food Webs,” Karns Elementary School
• Jennifer Borr, “The Science of Sound,” Loudon High School
• Sandy Buttrum, “iPAD for Teacher/Student Use in Classroom,” North Middle School
• Holly Christianson, “Hatching Inquiry,” Farragut Primary School
• Conni Durfee, “Geometric Solids Manipulatives,” Karns Elementary
• Joe Foy, “Use of Advanced Data Collection Devices to Capture, View, and Analyze Sensor
Data in Math and Physics Classrooms,” West High School
• Leanne Gentry, “Calculators for the Classroom,” Norris Middle School
• Robbie Herrell/David Humphrey, “Green Construction,” Anderson County Career and
Technical Center
• Nicole Jett, “Differentiated Brightlink Learning,” Claxton Elementary
• Michelle LaDue, “iPAD Understanding,” Briceville Elementary
• Meg Law, “Science in Stereo,” Northwest Middle School
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• Tommy Mariner, “Solar Telescope for Naval Science Astronomy Module,” Anderson
County High School
• Vicki McKamey, “Feather Talk,” Grand Oakes Elementary School
• Kim Meredith/Amber Elkins, “STEM Interactive Software,” Lake City Elementary
• Rachel Yates Minardo, “Document Cameras to Supplement Brightlink Technology,” Claxton
Elementary School
• Rhonda Phillips, “Animal Classification,” Grand Oaks Elementary
• Ann Riddell, “Mobi ~ Mobile Interactive Whiteboard,” Grand Oaks Elementary
• Shannon Smith, “Microsoft IT and Business Academy,” Anderson County Career and
Technical Center
• Ann Stafford, “One Small Step for Me…One Giant Leap for My Future,” Loudon
Elementary School
• David Tracey, “Math + NSPIRES = SUCCESS,” Clinton Middle School
• Kelly Raye Williams, “Inquiry Labs for Science Experiments,” Lake City Elementary
• Kelly Raye Williams, “Math Manipulatives and Visuals,” Lake City Elementary
Applications were screened and awardees selected using a blind process that prevented members
of the selection panel from knowing the names of the teachers or the schools applying. Schools
in Roane, Anderson, Loudon, and Knox counties were eligible to submit proposals.
UCOR plans to award the mini-grants annually.
UCOR is the Department of Energy’s Environmental Management contractor at the Oak Ridge
Reservation. The URS-led team is responsible for deactivation and demolition of the K-25
facility at ETTP, as well as other specific scopes of work at ETTP, the Y-12 National Security
Complex, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
