Oak Ridge Today

ORISE accepting grad, undergrad applications for Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship

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Women and minorities encouraged to apply; deadline is Dec. 21, 2015

ORISE is currently accepting applications for the 2016 Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program, or MLEF, which is a 10-week summer program for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math.

The MLEF Program provides students who are U.S. citizens with the opportunity to gain and develop research skills by training under the mentorship of program officials and scientists within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy. This program is open to currently enrolled full-time degree-seeking students in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) program at an accredited college or university at the bachelor’s (sophomore or higher), master’s, or doctoral level with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Participants will support Office of Fossil Energy mission-related research while gaining insight into how DOE is working to meet the energy challenges of the future. Although all eligible candidates are encouraged to apply, the goal of the program is to improve the opportunities for women and minority students in the STEM fields.

The summer program may place students at one of several possible sites, including: [Read more…]

Roane State campuses closed Dec. 19-Jan. 2 for holidays

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Roane State Community College Harriman Campus

The main Roane State Community College campus in Harriman. The college also has a branch campus in Oak Ridge.

 

Roane State Community College campuses will be closed Saturday, December 19, through Saturday, January 2, for the holidays.

The college will reopen Monday, January 4, and spring classes will begin on Tuesday, January 19.

The Cumberland Business Incubator, located on the Cumberland County campus, will be closed December 24-January 1.

Registration and other self-service options are available through the Roane State website at www.roanestate.edu.

For more information, visit www.roanestate.edu or call 1-866-GO2-RSCC (1-866-462-7722).

Roane State dental hygiene students help at Ronald McDonald House

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Roane-State-Dental-Hygiene-Ronald-McDonald-House

Roane State Community College dental hygiene students recently prepared breakfast for 27 family members staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Knoxville. Front row kneeling starting from left are Guerin Bearden, Leslie Setzer, Atoosa Aval, Lorelei Glenn, and Lubov Jestes. Back from left are program director Melinda Gill, Miranda Carpenter, Kim Palmer, Melissa McAllester, Angela Whipp, and Bruna Rose. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Roane State Community College dental hygiene students recently prepared breakfast for 27 family members staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Knoxville.

The Ronald McDonald House is open to any family with a child, age 21 or under, who is receiving medical treatment at an area hospital, including East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.

For more information, visit http://knoxrmhc.org.

Oak Ridge Schools employees wear jeans to work, donate $5 each to help veterans

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Submitted by Oak Ridge Schools

On November 13, Oak Ridge Schools employees took part in the 2015 “Jeans For Troops” fundraising drive benefiting the GI Go Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans returning home find employment, go to college, access their health care and financial benefits, and link to housing.

During the drive, in which schools and companies from all across the country participate, Oak Ridge Schools gave their employees the opportunity to wear jeans to work in exchange for a $5 donation to the GI Go Fund.

“I am so very proud of our staff who honored military veterans and their families through this fun event,” Superintendent Bruce Borchers said.

“For generations, America’s teachers have been responsible for educating America’s children,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “They have always been individuals that mothers and fathers could rely on to set a positive example for their children. This Veterans Day, teachers around the country have set the example to our nation’s children that this is a day to remember the men and women who have fought and died to preserve our liberties, our freedoms, and the American way of life.” [Read more…]

ORHS Orchestra performs in Winter Concert on Thursday

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Oak-Ridge-High-School-Orchestra-Logo

Oak Ridge High School Orchestra will present its 2015 Winter Concert on Thursday, December 10. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at ORHS Auditorium.

The concert will feature something for everyone, including Christmas concertos by Corelli and Torelli, as well as rocking contemporary music by Trans Siberian Orchestra, a press release said.

Tickets are on sale at the door for $3 each. All proceeds benefit the ORHS Orchestra program and help purchase and repair string instruments.

For more information, visit www.orhsorchestra.org.

Game-changer: JMS, RMS trying laptops now, more students could soon

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Robertsville-Middle-School-Device-Rollout-Nov-3-2015

More than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November. About 190 are being used by seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School, pictured above, and roughly 130 were distributed to sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

In what was described as a “game-changer,” more than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November.

The laptops, which must be returned at the end of each school year, are part of a new program named Access Oak Ridge.

About 190 seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School and roughly 130 sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School are trying the devices this month, and they could be “rolled out” to all middle school students, grades 5 to 8, in January, Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers said.

The students are using Lenovo Yoga 11e convertible laptops that can be used as laptops, tablets, tents, or stands. The children can use the computers for all subjects.

“When implemented well, the research shows an increase in student engagement and achievement,” Borchers said. [Read more…]

Nuclear Engineering Science Laboratory Synthesis program accepting apps for 2016

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Opportunity provides students with research experience at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Nuclear Engineering Science Laboratory Synthesis, or NESLS, program is accepting applications for spring and summer 2016.

NESLS is a cooperative research initiative at Oak Ridge National Laboratory administered through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education and geared toward students working in nuclear engineering and science. NESLS offers students on-the-job educational and research opportunities at a multidisciplinary national laboratory.

Research areas of interest may include nuclear security technologies; nuclear systems analysis, design, and safety; and fuels, isotopes, and nuclear materials. Other features of the internship include: [Read more…]

BOE vice chair to discuss education in Oak Ridge on Tuesday

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Bob Eby

Bob Eby

Robert Eby, vice chair of the Oak Ridge Board of Education, will discuss education in Oak Ridge at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, December 1.

Lunch with the League starts at noon in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Eby is currently serving his fourth term on the board. He was chairman from 1991-1995. He is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School. [Read more…]

Baker Center: Roadway quality at risk unless new funding found

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Tennessee spends less on a per-capita basis than almost any other state on its highways and roads, yet enjoys roadways that are better than those in most states. But according to a new paper produced by researchers at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, roadway quality is now at risk unless new funding is found.

Fuel tax rates are among the lowest in the nation, yet Tennessee boasts a roadway network that has better pavement, better bridges, and less congestion than most comparable state systems. Concerns are mounting that these benefits are at risk because of a funding outlook that continues to deteriorate.

The state’s gasoline tax was last raised—from 16 to 20 cents per gallon—more than 25 years ago, in 1989.

Currently, the state’s gasoline tax of 21.4 cents a gallon (which includes a special petroleum products tax) ranks 12th lowest in the U.S., and Tennessee is one of only five states that are free of highway-related debt. Gasoline and diesel tax revenues not only support state roadways but are shared with cities and counties across the state. [Read more…]

Roane State has open house Dec. 5 at Roane County campus

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Roane State Community College will host a December 5 open house at the college’s Roane County campus, 276 Patton Lane in Harriman.

Check-in will begin at 9 a.m. in the lobby of the O’Brien Theatre. The Open House will be held from 9:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Prospective students will have opportunities to tour the campus and to talk one-on-one with faculty and staff about academic programs, steps for admission, and financial aid. [Read more…]

Roane State Winter Concert is Dec. 5 in Harriman

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Get in the festive sprit by joining the Roane State Community College Music Department for its annual Winter Concert on Saturday, December 5, at the Princess Theatre in downtown Harriman.

The event begins at 8 p.m., and donations will be accepted at the door. The concert will feature Roane State’s Celebration Singers, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Bluegrass Band, Stage Band, faculty, and guest musicians.

For more information, contact Brenda Luggie at (865) 354-3000, ext. 4236, or luggieb@roanestate.edu.

Registration under way for Roane State wilderness first responder course

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Wilderness-First-Responder-Roane-State

Rescue workers train during Roane State’s intense Wilderness First Responder course. (Photo courtesy Roane State)

 

Roane State Community College’s Continuing Healthcare and Safety Education Department is accepting sign-ups for its Wilderness First Responder course, which will be in January.

Held at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, the class is designed for those who operate extensively in the outdoors, such as outdoors enthusiasts, wilderness guides, environmental educators, and missionaries.

The course will be held January 17-24, 2016. A refresher course for those who have already taken Wilderness First Responder is scheduled for January 29-31, 2016. [Read more…]