Teachers and administrators from across the state have been invited to the first academy for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics educators in Oak Ridge.
The three-day academy to explore the latest in STEM teaching practices began at 8 a.m. Tuesday and ends at 7 p.m. Thursday at Oak Ridge Associated Universities.
The opening ceremony included guest speakers ORAU Vice President Eric Abelquist and Thom Mason, Oak Ridge National Laboratory director.
The academy will feature programs focused on innovative practices, communication technologies, and teaching approaches to expand active STEM learning environments across Tennessee, an ORAU press release said.
Highlights for participants include a hands-on “Energy Challenge.” Participating teams will be given three green energy kits: a microbial fuel cell, a fuel cell car, and a hydrogen wind turbine. The team that assembles and generates the most energy from their kits wins the challenge, the press release said.
On Wednesday, retired NASA astronaut Mary Ellen Weber will present “The Experience and Majesty of Space” to academy participants. Weber is a veteran of two space flights, and she has worked in technology commercialization throughout her career.
The event that features Weber begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the DoubleTree Hotel.
ORAU is partnering with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network to host the leadership academy, which is for teachers and administrators representing Tennessee’s 136 school districts.
Oak Ridge Associated Universities is located at 100 ORAU Way in Oak Ridge.
