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Former ambassador to discuss Syria at Roane State on Wednesday

Posted at 1:02 pm April 16, 2018
By Katherine Smith Leave a Comment

Margaret Scobey

Margaret Scobey

Former Ambassador Margaret Scobey will discuss Syria at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge on Wednesday. Her talk is titled “Syria: Challenges to U.S. and Regional Interests.”

The community lecture is sponsored jointly by ORICL (Oak Ridge Institute of Continued Learning) and Roane State. It is free and open to the public.

Scobey’s appearance will begin with a reception at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Visitor’s Lobby of the Coffey/McNally Building, a press release said. Following the reception, Scobey will speak in the City Room, A-111, of the same building. After her presentation, Ambassador Scobey will respond to questions from the audience.

Scobey retired as career minister from the U.S. Foreign Service following a 32-year career, the press release said. She served as U.S. ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt from 2008 until July of 2011. Prior to that, she served as the U.S. ambassador to Syria from late 2003 until early 2005, when she was recalled in protest to the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Her last assignment in the Foreign Service was as deputy commandant of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Federal, Front Page News, Government Tagged With: Ambassador Margaret Scobey, Margaret Scobey, Oak Ridge Institute of Continued Learning, ORICL, Roane State Community College, RSCC, Syria, U.S. ambassador, U.S. Foreign Service

JMS robotics team headed to world competition

Posted at 12:36 pm April 16, 2018
By Holly Cross Leave a Comment

Three robotics teams from Jefferson Middle School competed in the FIRST Lego League East Tennessee State Championship at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville on February 10. The Atomic Eagles qualified to represent Jefferson Middle School and Tennessee at the FIRST LEGO World Championships in Houston this month. (Submitted photo)

Three robotics teams from Jefferson Middle School competed in the FIRST Lego League East Tennessee State Championship at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville on February 10. The Atomic Eagles qualified to represent Jefferson Middle School and Tennessee at the FIRST LEGO World Championships in Houston this month. (Submitted photo)

 

Three robotics teams from Jefferson Middle School competed in the FIRST Lego League East Tennessee State Championship at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville on February 10. The Atomic Eagles qualified to represent Jefferson Middle School and Tennessee at the FIRST LEGO World Championships in Houston this month.

To compete in the state championship, teams must first qualify at either the Knoxville, Nashville, Tullahoma, Bristol, or Johnson City competitions. The Atomic Eagles, JMS Master Builders, and Radioactive Brix all qualified in Knoxville on December 10, 2017, at Hardin Valley Academy.

At the East Tennessee Championship, the Radioactive Brix (team # 3131), including members Johnny Clark, Abby Ellis, Christopher Gorsuch, Roxanne Farahi, Eden Hatmaker, Wesley Hixson, Henry Landau, and Colby Lawson, finished the robot challenge game with a high score of 135. The team coach is Norma Franco and the team mentor is Justin Lawson. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, K-12, Top Stories Tagged With: Aaliyah Herron, Aaron Fiscor, Abby Ellis, Adam Blanchard, Alex Shanafield, Amelia Thomson, Amelie Nagle, Atomic Eagles, Ben Dallas, Brian Qu, Christopher Gorsuch, Colby Lawson, David Hundermark, Eden Hatmaker, FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Lego League East Tennessee State Championship, FIRST LEGO World Championships, Harold Shanafield, Henry Landau, Jacob Mohr, Janie Shanafield, Jeff Thomson, Jefferson Middle School, Jessica Mohr, JMS Master Builders, Johnny Clark, Justin Lawson, Lexie Scott, Lindsey Fiscor, Marissa Kenworthy, Matthew Alexander, Norma Franco, Radioactive Brix, robotics, Roxanne Farahi, Sadie Thomson, Stella Scott, Sydney Blanchard, Wesley Hixson

Interested in teaching career? Go to Roane State Education Department’s open houses

Posted at 6:00 pm April 15, 2018
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

The Roane State Community College Education Department will host a pair of open houses April 24 and April 26 for those interested in pursuing careers in K-12 education.

Current students, incoming freshmen, and members of the community are welcome, said Stacie Bradshaw, associate professor of education.

One event will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, in Room 336 of the Goff Building on the Oak Ridge campus, 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

The second open house will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, in Room O-224 of the O’Brien Humanities Building on the Roane County Campus, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Front Page News Tagged With: Cody Villarreal, education, Education Department, K-12, open house, Roane State, Stacie Bradshaw

Roane State forum on Wednesday will discuss learning, immersive technology such as virtual reality

Posted at 5:56 pm April 15, 2018
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

A HoloLens, worn here by Roane State director of EMS programs David Blevins, is one of the immersive learning technologies that will be discussed at an April 25 forum at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus. (Submitted photo)

A HoloLens, worn here by Roane State director of EMS programs David Blevins, is one of the immersive learning technologies that will be discussed at an April 25 forum at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus. (Submitted photo)

 

How immersive technology such as virtual reality can enhance learning will be the topic of Roane State Community College’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Forum on Wednesday, April 25, at the Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

Stephanie Shipley with Roane State’s Center for Teachings Arts and Technology will present the topic “Learning in 3D: Adding a New Dimension.” The forum will be from 3-4:30 p.m. in the City Room (A-111) of the Coffey-McNally Building.

A new generation of virtual reality headsets and software promises to revolutionize learning in the classroom, a press release said. During this presentation, participants will be introduced to concepts of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality that will include important technological and educational considerations and implications in all learning environments.

Pedagogical concepts and principles will be discussed, as well as how immersive technologies can be utilized in specific courses and disciplines, the press release said. Additionally, this presentation will include a demonstration of various immersive technologies such as VR headset apps and the Microsoft HoloLens, the release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, K-12, Top Stories Tagged With: augmented reality, Center for Teachings Arts and Technology, David Blevins, immersive technology, learning environments., Learning in 3D: Adding a New Dimension, Microsoft HoloLens, mixed reality, Roane State, Roane State Community College, Social and Behavioral Sciences Forum, Stephanie Shipley, technology, virtual reality, VR headset

Under way: Roane State Oak Ridge hosts Open House, Reconnect Ready

Posted at 11:33 am April 14, 2018
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

RSCC Coffey McNally Building Oak Ridge

The Coffey/McNally Building is pictured at the Oak Ridge campus of Roane State Community College. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Prospective students of all ages are extended a cordial invitation to an Open House at the Oak Ridge campus of Roane State Community College, which is at 701 Briarcliff Avenue in Oak Ridge.

The event is being held on a Saturday, April 14, in the atrium of the campus’s Coffey-McNally Building. It began at 10:30 a.m. with check-in.

Jim McDaniel, director of student enrollment and recruitment, said the Open House is for “anyone who wants to go to college.”

Information about the admission process and financial aid scholarships will be available. Faculty members will be on hand to discuss the college’s academic programs. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education Tagged With: academic programs, admission process, Anderson County annual financial report, FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, Jim McDaniel, open house, Reconnect, Reconnect Ready, Reconnect scholarship, Roane State, Tennessee Reconnect

Community Wellness Fair hosted by city, schools on May 16

Posted at 2:49 pm April 12, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

 

The City of Oak Ridge Wellness Committee and Oak Ridge Schools Coordinated School Health are teaming up to host a Community Wellness Fair. The event will be held on Wednesday, May 16, from noon to 4 p.m. in the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Admission is free and everyone is invited.

The Civic Center is located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Demonstrations, informational booths, and health screenings will be set up inside the gymnasium. According to a press release, topics to be covered include: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, Government, Health, Health, K-12, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: City of Oak Ridge Wellness Committee, Community Wellness Fair, Oak Ridge Civic Center, Oak Ridge Schools Coordinated School Health

ORHS violist earns first chair in Tennessee All-State Orchestra

Posted at 1:22 pm April 12, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Selena Piercy (Photo by Oak Ridge High School Orchestra)

Selena Piercy (Photo by Oak Ridge High School Orchestra)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1 p.m. April 15.

An Oak Ridge High School violist has earned first chair in the Tennessee All-State Orchestra, ORHS Orchestra reported on Twitter.

That means Selena Piercy is the top high school violist in Tennessee, ORHS Orchestra said.

Piercy will be the first chair viola in the All-State Orchestra. This is a first for Oak Ridge High School, according to Oak Ridge Schools.

More information will be added as it becomes available.


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Filed Under: Education, Entertainment, Front Page News, K-12, Music, Top Stories Tagged With: first chair viola, high school violist, Oak Ridge High School violist, ORHS, ORHS Orchestra, Selena Piercy, Tennessee, Tennessee All-State Orchestra

ORHS students to rally against gun violence on April 20

Posted at 2:21 pm April 9, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge High School students will rally against gun violence on Friday, April 20. That’s the 19th anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.

The student-led rally in Oak Ridge this month will be held in solidarity with schools around the country that are also holding events on that day, a press release said.

“Inspired by the strong young people that have been victimized by acts of gun violence in their own schools and now fight against it, ORHS students are organizing a rally against gun violence,” the press release said. “This rally will include students discussing how gun violence has affected their lives: original student poetry readings, student art exhibits, student-led songs, and student speeches. Furthermore, there will be stations set up where students can register to vote and write letters to their elected officials.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: gun violence, Oak Ridge High School, rally, Wildcats for Change

Twenty-nine qualify to run for 16 seats on Anderson County Commission

Posted at 1:38 pm April 7, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Twenty-nine candidates have qualified to run for 16 seats on the Anderson County Commission in the county general election in August.

There are also three people running for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 33, a new appointed Oak Ridge school board member running in a special election in August, and a Democratic challenger to Tennessee Senator Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge resident who is also lieutenant governor.

The deadline to qualify to run in the August 2 election, which will also feature contested elections for Anderson County sheriff and trustee, was noon Thursday.

Anderson County has eight County Commission districts, and there are two commissioners per district. The offices are non-partisan, meaning that, unlike some other county offices, they are not part of the Democratic and Republican primary elections on May 1. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2018 Election, Anderson County, Education, Front Page News, Government, K-12, State, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Commission, Anderson County Sheriff, Anthony Allen, Avery Johnson, Ben Stephens, Bob Eby, Bob Smallridge, Cassandra Mitchell, Catherine Denenberg, Chris Silver, Chuck Fritts, county general election, David Queener, Democratic primary, Dennis Powers, Denny Phillips, Denver Waddell, Ebony Capshaw, Felicia Foust, Floyd Grisham, Jeff Cole, Jeff Maxwell, Jerry Creasey, Jerry White, Jimmy Bouchard, John Meyer, John Ragan, Joshua Anderson, Leesa Arowood, Lewis Ridenour, Mark "Hollywood" Whaley, Mark Alderson, Mark Lucas, Michael Foster, Nathaniel Varner, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Phil Warfield, Phil Yager, primary elections, Randy McNally, Regina Copeland, Republican primary, Rex Lynch, Richard Dawson, Rick Meredith, Robert Jameson, Robert McKamey, Russell Barker, Scott Burton, Scott Gillenwaters, Shain Vowell, Steve Emert, Steve Mead, Tabitha Harmon, Tennessee House of Representatives, Tennessee House of Representatives District 33, Tennessee Senate District 5, Terry Frank, Theresa Scott, Tim Isbel, Tim Risden, Tim Shelton, Tracy Wandell, William Jones

Oak Ridge teams excel at state chess team championships

Posted at 12:22 pm April 5, 2018
By Gilbert Chan Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge High School Freshmen Chess Team in March 2018: Levi Parish, Adam Herron, Kenny Adams, and Dan Joy (Photo courtesy Esther Parish)

Oak Ridge High School Freshmen Chess Team: Levi Parish, Adam Herron, Kenny Adams, and Dan Joy (Photo courtesy Esther Parish)

 

Every year, the top four scholastic chess teams in each of the four grade divisions qualify to join teams from the other three regions to compete for the Tennessee Chess Association scholastic team championships, which were held March 24 at Tennessee Tech University.

Four Oak Ridge schools—Linden Elementary School, Robertsville Middle School, Jefferson Middle School, and Oak Ridge High School—qualified a total of six teams for this year’s event. That meant that about 1/10th of the players were Oak Ridge students (Oak Ridge has about 0.4 percent of the state’s population).

In the Primary (K-3) section, the Linden team of Ricardo Smith, William Hetrick, Quinn Richardson, and Kaylee Tress finished 11th overall.

In the Elementary (K-6) section, Jefferson (Brian Qu, Isaak Nussbaum, Gavin Koentop, and Toby Croft) finished fifth, while Robertsville (Leo Ehlers, Patrick Wurm, Daisy Kercher, Brandon Bonamarte, and Zachary Williamson) took 10th. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, K-12, Top Stories Tagged With: Adam Herron, Andrew Brady, Bear Moran, Brandon Bonamarte, Brian Qu, chess, chess teams, Daisy Kercher, Dan Joy, Gavin Koentop, Henri Scott, Isaak Nussbaum, Jack Biewer, Jackson Johnson, Jefferson, Jefferson Middle School, Justin Blanchard, Kaylee Tres, Kenny Adams, Leo Ehlers, Levi Parish, Linden, Linden Elementary School, Nick Pelletier, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge HS, Patrick Wurm, Quinn Richardson, Ricardo Smith, Robertsville, Robertsville Middle School, Steven Qu, Tennessee Chess Association, Tennessee Chess Association scholastic team championships, Toby Croft, William Hetrick, Zachary Williamson

Robotics: After regional alliance win, Secret City Wildbots will compete in World Finals in Houston

Posted at 3:18 pm March 27, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

After a regional alliance win at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, March 24, 2018, the Secret City Wildbots robotics team of Oak Ridge, Team 4265, is headed to the World Finals in Houston in April. (Photo by Angi Agle)

After a regional alliance win at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, March 24, 2018, the Secret City Wildbots robotics team of Oak Ridge (Team 4265) is headed to the World Finals in Houston in April. (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

Information and photos submitted by Angi Agle

KNOXVILLE—After a regional alliance win in Knoxville on Saturday, the Secret City Wildbots robotics team of Oak Ridge is headed to the World Finals in Houston in April.

The Wildbots finished the qualification rounds ranked number eight at Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee. That made the Wildbots a team captain, eligible to select two more teams for their alliance.

However, captains select their alliance partners in the first round, with the highest-ranked team picking first. Team 2614, MARS (Mountain Area Robotics) of Morgantown, West Virginia, was the number one seed and selected Team 4265 (the Secret City Wildbots) as their first alliance pick.

The two then agreed upon Team 4306, the Robo Komodos of Franklin, Tennessee, as their third alliance partner. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Andrew Chan, Angi Agle, Blake Norris, Brennan Brooks, Caden Webb, Connor Shelander, Dalton Davis, Dalton Wilson, Eli Charles, Engineering Inspiration Award, Eric Thornton, Faith Guzman, FIRST World Championships, Julia Steele, Levi Parish, Lisa Buckner, Mack Patrick, Mars, Matthew Wood, Mountain Area Robotics, Oak Ridge High School, Olivia Mahathy, Roane State Foundation, Robo Komodos, Robotics Lab-in-a-Box, Ruth Hammond, Secret City Wildbots, Smoky Mountains Regional, Team 2614, Team 4265, Team 4306, Ty Dahl, World Finals

Education Foundation to award over $100K in grants in April ceremony

Posted at 1:43 pm March 27, 2018
By Jessica Steed Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation will award more than $104,000 in grants to Oak Ridge teachers at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation will award more than $104,000 in grants to Oak Ridge teachers at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation will award more than $104,000 in grants to Oak Ridge teachers at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 25, a press release said.

Chuck Carringer, who has previously worked for Oak Ridge Schools and is now president of Chuck Carringer Executive Coaching, which provides leadership and management development services, will be the featured speaker at the April ceremony, the press release said. His talk will be titled “Teachers Making a Difference.”

The ceremony is open to the public, and it will be held in the Oak Ridge High School cafeteria beginning at 4 p.m. April 25. Demonstrations and displays of some of the projects and technology funded by the Foundation will be given after the formal ceremony, the press release said. Light refreshments will be provided courtesy of Oak Ridge Utility District.

Here are the 2018 grant recipients: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: Cathy Toth, Chuck Carringer, grant funding, grants, Grants Program, Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, Oak Ridge Schools, Oak Ridge teachers

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