Oak Ridge Today

Driskill named Roane State executive director for Oak Ridge campus, community relations

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Owen Driskill

Owen Driskill

 

Owen Driskill has been named Roane State Community College’s executive director for the Oak Ridge Campus and Community Relations.

Driskill joined Roane State’s staff in 2007 after a 10-year career in journalism as a reporter and editor. He served as Roane State’s news coordinator until 2011, when he became the college’s director of marketing and public relations.

Driskill serves on the boards of Explore Oak Ridge, First Steps Child Development Center in Oak Ridge, and the Oak Ridge Center for Leadership and Community Development. In addition, he is a member of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Advocacy Committee. He has been a volunteer mentor for tnAchieves, the nonprofit that coordinates mentors for Tennessee Promise students, since 2008. [Read more…]

UT, NOAA to collaborate on atmospheric sciences research

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Taylor Eighmy, UT vice chancellor for research and engagement, left, and Bruce Baker, director of NOAA’s Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division, headquartered in Oak Ridge, right, sign a memorandum of agreement in Oak Ridge on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. (Photo courtesy University of Tennessee)

Taylor Eighmy, left, UT vice chancellor for research and engagement, and Bruce Baker, right, director of NOAA’s Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division, which has headquarters in Oak Ridge, sign a memorandum of agreement in Oak Ridge on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. (Photo courtesy University of Tennessee)

 

The University of Tennessee in Knoxville has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division, or ATDD, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Air Resources Laboratory to advance collaborative research in atmospheric sciences. ATDD has headquarters in Oak Ridge.

The agreement was signed Wednesday, February 15, at ATDD headquarters in Oak Ridge, and it will help with joint efforts to advance understanding of air pollution, atmospheric transport processes, and weather on a regional and national level, a press release said. It also will create educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to collect scientific data, develop models and simulations, and transition research to applications and commercial use.

“The mission of the collaboration will be to train the next generation of scientists and engineers and provide the best available atmospheric data and scientific analysis to the global scientific community, to local and national decision makers, and to the general public,” said Bruce Baker, director of the ATDD. [Read more…]

JMS robotics team to represent school, Tennessee at FIRST LEGO World Championships

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The Jefferson Middle School Master Builders finished a robot challenge game with a high score of 204 and won the first place overall Champion's Award in the FIRST Lego League East Tennessee State Championship at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. The team received the Global Innovation Award. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Schools)

The Jefferson Middle School Master Builders finished a robot challenge game with a high score of 204 and won the first place overall Champion’s Award in the FIRST Lego League East Tennessee State Championship at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. The team received the Global Innovation Award. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Schools)

 

Content written by team coaches—edited and submitted by Holly Cross

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 11. One team will represent Jefferson Middle School and Tennessee at the FIRST LEGO World Championships in Houston in April.

To compete in the state championship, teams must first qualify at either the Knoxville, Nashville, Chattanooga, or Johnson City competitions. The Atomic Eagles, JMS Master Builders, and Radioactive Brix all qualified in Knoxville on December 3 at Hardin Valley Academy.

The Radioactive Brix (team # 3131) finished the robot challenge game with a high score of 90 and won second place in mechanical design. Members are: Johnny Clark, Grace Godfrey, Christopher Gorsuch, Ethan Holland, Colby Lawson, Josh Shubert, and Chrystalleni White. The team coach is Norma Franco. The team mentor is Justin Holland.

The Atomic Eagles (team #336) finished the robot challenge game with a high score of 110 and won the third place overall Champions Award. Members are: Ben Dallas, Lindsey Fiscor, Bethany Marshall, Amelie Nagle, Levi Parish, Brian Qu, and Alex Shanafield. The team coaches are Janie Shanafield and David Hundermark. The team mentor is Harold Shanafield. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge High School Cyber Patriot Team places third in state

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

The Air Force Association’s General Bruce K. Holloway Chapter 367 extended congratulations to the Oak Ridge High School Cyber Patriot Team and mentor Keith Jackson for placing third in the state in the Silver Division and qualifying for the regional round.

The 2016-2017 school year marks the first year Oak Ridge High School has participated as a team in the CyberPatriot program competition. Jackson, Oak Ridge High School computer science instructor, is the mentor. This year, the high schools has a two-person team of Jacob Larose and Noah Hylton.

“We are already recruiting and training for next year,” Jackson said.

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program, which has a mission to spark the interest of the nation’s youth in the area of cybersecurity and other STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education and career paths.

This press release was submitted by Holly Cross.

Woody to discuss State of Roane County at Lunch with League on Tuesday

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Ron Woody

Ron Woody

Roane County Executive Ron Woody will discuss Roane County issues during Lunch with the League on Tuesday, February 21. The program will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Woody said he will talk about such topics as Roane County economic development, education, the impact of legislation, the county jail, and the impending airport. There will be time for questions from the audience following his presentation, a press release said.

Woody was first elected in August 2010. Formerly a consultant with the University of Tennessee’s County Technical Advisory Service, he is a certified public accountant with years of experience in county fiscal management jobs, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge High School team advances to National Science Bowl

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An Oak Ridge High School team won first place in the 2017 Tennessee Science Bowl. Pictured above from left to right with their trophy are, front row, Coach Sharon Thomas, Henry Shen, and Wilson Huang; and back row, Stephen Qu, Joe Andress, and Adi Sujithkumar. (Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Energy)

An Oak Ridge High School team won first place in the 2017 Tennessee Science Bowl. Pictured above from left to right with their trophy are, front row, Coach Sharon Thomas, Henry Shen, and Wilson Huang; and back row, Stephen Qu, Joe Andress, and Adi Sujithkumar. (Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Energy)

 

After months of dogged determination to expand their knowledge of math and science, hone their competition skills, and function as a seamless unit, 60 high school teams from across the state of Tennessee gathered this past weekend to challenge their knowledge in broad science disciplines including chemistry, biology, physics, and energy to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy annual Tennessee Science Bowl.

Although fiercely competitive, only one school emerged the winner. That was Oak Ridge High School, which placed first and received an all-expenses-paid trip to the DOE National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C. The National Science Bowl will be held April 27-May 1. The ORHS team also received a $1,000 cash prize and a first-place trophy.

The Tennessee Science Bowl is the nation’s third-largest regional competition. Held at Pellissippi State Community College’s Blount County Campus, the regional bowl prepares students to compete nationally with other exceptional students from schools across the country, a DOE press release said. [Read more…]

Alan Williams named 2017 Front Page Follies honoree

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Alan Williams

Alan Williams

 

Alan Williams, Local 8 News and CW anchor and a 37-year veteran in the broadcast business, will be the honoree at the 39th annual Front Page Follies on June 17.

The Front Page Foundation will present the dinner and show that each year roasts state and local newsmakers at the Knoxville Convention Center. Proceeds will fund journalism and broadcasting scholarships presented in Williams’ honor at the University of Tennessee and a media studies scholarship at Pellissippi State Community College.

“Alan Williams is a veteran broadcast journalist who brings both a professional approach and a personal touch to the news he reports,” said Frank Murphy, Front Page Foundation president.

“Alan can tell sports stories with insights he gained as an SEC athlete, then cover an entertainment event with the experience of a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the Country Music Association,” Murphy said. “He knows the community well because he’s worked here more than 30 years, and he’s been an active community volunteer. That kind of perspective has meant a lot to his East Tennessee audience, and we’re proud to name Alan Williams this year’s scholarship honoree.” [Read more…]

Julie Kinder-McMillan named Teacher of the Year in Oak Ridge

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Julie Kinder-McMillan

Julie Kinder-McMillan

 

Julie Kinder-McMillan of Robertsville Middle School has been named Teacher of the Year for Oak Ridge Schools.

Kinder-McMillan is the schools district’s nominee for state-level awards that the Tennessee Department of Education gives each year to outstanding educators to recognize their meritorious service and devotion to students.

“The department applauds teachers who care about children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of Tennessee children, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement,” a press release said. “Each district in the state may submit one nominee for the state-level award.

Kinder-McMillan teaches eighth-grade reading/language arts as well as journalism and yearbook.

“One of her passions is to educate students about the Holocaust using the ‘Diary of Anne Frank’ as a learning platform, as Anne is close in age to her students,” the press release said. “It provides an entry point and puts a face on the nameless numbers of victims. Julie has participated in numerous trainings to enhance her teaching, and had the pleasure of bringing in Holocaust survivor, Mira Kimmelman, to meet her students.” [Read more…]

Family escapes house fire thanks to smoke alarm installed by ORFD

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An Oak Ridge family of three was able to get to safety overnight thanks to a smoke alarm that was installed in their home by the Oak Ridge Fire Department, city officials said Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Oak Ridge Fire Department)

An Oak Ridge family of three was able to get to safety overnight thanks to a smoke alarm that was installed in their home by the Oak Ridge Fire Department, city officials said Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Oak Ridge Fire Department)

 

An Oak Ridge family of three was able to get to safety overnight thanks to a smoke alarm that was installed in their home by the Oak Ridge Fire Department, city officials said Friday.

The structure fire at 128 Newberry Circle was reported to 911 at 1:10 a.m. Friday, February 17, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. When they arrived, firefighters found the fire to be mostly extinguished with moderate smoke throughout the home.

The residents said after the smoke alarm woke them up, they found the fire and poured a pan of water on it as they dialed 911 and exited the home. The two adults and one child were waiting outside the house when firefighters arrived. The first crew on the scene finished extinguishing the fire and cleared the home of smoke. [Read more…]

Career coach at Oak Ridge Library once a month from March-July

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Need to polish your resume, complete an online job application, or find the jobs that match your skill set?

The Career Coach, sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Employment Security Division, will be coming to the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 16, April 13, May 18, June 15, and July 20. Come by any time during those hours and receive job assistance.

For more information on the Career Coach, check out the website at www.getonthecoach.tn.gov. This is a free service for the public, and library memberships are not required for participants. For more information, call the Library at (865) 425-3455.

This press release was submitted by Virginia Bayne.

Turn your New Year’s resolutions into personal plan for 2017

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Come to the Oak Ridge Public Library Auditorium on February 25 from 10-11 a.m. for coffee, refreshments, and to create an individualized plan for your success.

Join Certified Life Coach Yvonne Hart and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor Josh Klinger to mold your resolutions into a working personalized plan for your 2017 and beyond. Learn tips on how to reach your life goals, fulfill your New Year’s resolutions, and maximize your financial fitness into your future.

This event is free and open to the public, and a library membership is not required for participants.

For more information, call the library at (865) 425-3455.

This press release was submitted by Virginia Bayne.

Children’s Museum hosts International Festival Saturday

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Obayana Ajanaku will play the djembe drums Saturday at the Children’s Museum International Festival. (Submitted photo)

Obayana Ajanaku will play the djembe drums Saturday at the Children’s Museum International Festival. (Submitted photo)

 

Obayana Ajanaku, who leads Indigenous Vibes, has traveled to Brazil, Russia, and Africa as a professional drummer. He teaches African drumming at Austin East High School in Knoxville, and he has introduced drumming in other Knox County schools.

On Saturday, Ajanaku’s Indigenous Vibes will be the featured entertainer at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge International Festival, a family-friendly gathering offering entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from cultures around the world. Music, dance, comedy, and martial arts will be on stage throughout the day, and children may make and take home a variety of international crafts.

“Our purpose is to reach out to the community, to talk about unity, diversity, and our outreach program with youth,” Ajanaku said, adding that at-risk youth benefit from learning drumming and participating in performances.

He said he has been drumming since he was six years old, encouraged by his mother. She was interested in the African culture and encouraged her children to learn African drumming and dance. He entertains and educates with the djembe drums, a set of drums that all work together, he explained. [Read more…]