For Immediate Release
Contact: Ashley Hartman
Ashley.Hartman@ettp.doe.gov
(865) 574-7231
Oak Ridge, Tenn., May 15, 2017 – URS | CH2M Oak Ridge LLC (UCOR) today announced 20 winners from five East Tennessee counties in the 2017 UCOR Education Mini-Grant Program which recognizes and supports excellence in teaching.
Awarded annually since 2012, grant funds assist classroom teachers in developing specific projects or curricula, focusing primarily on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
“One of UCOR’s primary objectives is to support and encourage education initiatives,” said Ken Rueter, UCOR President and Project Manager. “The UCOR Mini-Grant Program enables teachers to enhance their students’ educational experiences. Selected projects funded by our program give students a greater insight into the essential STEM subjects in fun and exciting ways.”
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. Schools in Roane, Anderson, Loudon, Knox and Morgan counties were eligible to submit proposals.
UCOR is the Department of Energy’s cleanup contractor for the East Tennessee Technology Park (former Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant) and other sites on its Oak Ridge Reservation.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: A complete list of grant winners by county is attached for your information and use.
UCOR NR 2017-2 2
UCOR Mini-Grant Winners
The UCOR Mini-Grant committee has selected the following projects and teachers for awards:
ANDERSON COUNTY
“Circuitry and Innovation” Ms. Maria Spiva, Ms. Deanna Blackburn, Ms. Laura Dailey, Norris Middle School
“Syzygy Over Tennessee: K-4th Students Experience 2017 Total Solar Eclipse” Ms. Lisa Buckner, Linden Elementary School
“Pi, Square Root, and Scientific Notation: Precision in Mathematics Using the TI-30xs” Ms. Ligia Boundy, Clinton Middle School
“Seeing It All with Compound Light Microscopes” Mr. Bryan E. Freeman, Clinton Middle School
“Balancing Student Equipment Needs” Ms. Nicole Patalano, Clinton Middle School
“It’s Electric!” Ms. Cristen Holden, Clinton Middle School
KNOX COUNTY
“Using Swivl to Enhance Mathematics Inside and Outside of the Classroom” Ms. Susan Bothman, Bearden High School
“From Drawing Prototypes to Creating Prototypes” Ms. Miriam Esther Wilhelm, Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School
“Integrating Alternative Learning Resources with Classroom Instruction” Ms. Terratta Wakefield, West Hills Elementary School
LOUDON COUNTY
“IGNITE Your Imagination!” Ms. Angela Bright-White, Philadelphia Elementary School
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“Calculation Station” submitted by Ms. Anne Harvey, North Middle School
MORGAN COUNTY
“Ready! Set! Engage!” Ms. Donna Widner, Oliver Springs Middle School
“Hooked On Rivers, Not on Drugs” Ms. Lesley Spurling, Sunbright Middle School
ROANE COUNTY
“The Progressive Power of Printing” Ms. Laura M. Holland, Rockwood Middle School
“What’s Code Got To Do With It?” Ms. Laura M. Holland, Rockwood Middle School
“The Lego Wall: Makerspace 101” Ms. Laura M. Holland, Rockwood Middle School
“Cabinet of Curiosity: Exploring STEM through kits, Non-fiction readings, and Trade books” Ms. Katie McKee, Midway Middle School
“STEM Initative” Ms. Jennifer Spakes, Dyllis Springs Elementary
“An ImPRESSive Gifted Program” Mr. Adam Trout, Rockwood Middle School
“STEM Stations in Kindergarten” Ms. Carly Harrison, Dyllis Springs Elementary
“Growing Understanding” Mr. Adam Trout, Rockwood Middle School
“Building Knowledge” Mr. Adam Trout, Rockwood Middle School
“Rock N Roll” Mr. Adam Trout, Rockwood Middle School
“Wild About Weather” Ms. Shelia Cantrell, Dyllis Springs Elementary
“My Tiny House” Ms. Jessica Neeley, Rockwood Middle School