Oak Ridge Today

Lecture to discuss ORNL work for NASA’s space nuclear thermal propulsion program

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Thomas Harrison

Thomas Harrison, a group leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will give an overview this evening of the work that ORNL performs for NASA’s space nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) program, a press release said.

ORNL performs research on materials, fuels, instrumentation and control components and techniques, and systems analysis, all of which are vital to the successful deployment of NTP, the press release said. Harrison will also describe some of the challenges facing the technology and the methods that ORNL researchers are using to overcome them.

Harrison is currently the Advanced Nuclear System Safety and Licensing Group Leader at ORNL, the press release said. [Read more…]

Registration for Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit extended through today

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Registration for the Tennessee Valley Corridor National Summit in Oak Ridge this month has been extended through today (Friday, May 18).

The TVC Summit is scheduled from Tuesday, May 29, to Thursday, May 31, at the New Hope Center at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Organizers said the Summit will include five main sessions focused on clean energy, cyber and national security, advanced manufacturing, and education. The Summit will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the City of Oak Ridge, the 85th anniversary of Tennessee Valley Authority, and 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 8 Mission.

There will be more than 50 speakers, panelists, and presenters, ranging from university and community college presidents to entrepreneurs to top leaders of the region’s federal contractors. More than 400 community, academic, and government leaders from the five-state region are expected to participate, organizers said. [Read more…]

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

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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…]

Altrusa to award scholarships for women, apply by March 30

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Altrusa International of Oak Ridge is offering scholarships starting at $1,000 to deserving women to support their pursuit of education and/or training, a press release said.

The Sarah Ketron Scholarship is intended for women who are non-traditional students and have interrupted their studies for work or family obligations and are returning to school to complete their education. It is named in honor of the late Sarah Ketron, Altrusa president in 1973-74. She was for many years a school counselor in Oak Ridge as well as a community leader and volunteer.

The Altrusa Scholarship is available for women who are continuing their education, post-high school, at an institution of higher learning, such as a university, community college, or technical college, the press release said.

Altrusans seek to encourage and support women who are striving to complete their education, search for jobs, and become financially independent. “One of the key goals for selection is to award scholarships to those who show significant financial need,” said Kesha Waters, co-chair of the Scholarship Committee. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge, Knox, private school students will try to break world record in computer coding

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Students from Knox County Schools, Oak Ridge City Schools, and area private schools will try to break the world record for the number of students learning how to code at the same time.

The students will make the attempt at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 8. In Oak Ridge, the attempt will occur throughout the district in the classrooms of teachers who choose to participate.

The idea to attempt a Guinness World Record came from Brandon Bruce, co-founder and chief operating officer of Cirrus Insight, and Caleb Fristoe, project manager of CodeTN—a Great Schools Partnership initiative that organizes coding clubs, camps, and competitions at area schools, a press release said. The effort is heavily supported by Knox County Schools and its Educational Technology and Information Technology departments, the release said.

“Amazing things are happening in Knoxville and Oak Ridge in technology and education,” Bruce said. “Attempting the Guinness World Record for the number of students learning how to code at the same time will help shine a light on the everyday great work of our students, parents, teachers, and principals. Keep an eye on East Tennessee for big successes in education and technology.” [Read more…]

ORAU awards $36,000 in education grants to local teachers

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Teachers representing 14 schools in Anderson County received STEM teaching tools, new technology, and grant funds worth $36,000 on Sept. 11 at the 2017 ORAU Education Grants Award Ceremony & Reception in Pollard Technology Conference Center. (Submitted photo)

Teachers representing 14 schools in Anderson County received STEM teaching tools, new technology, and grant funds worth $36,000 on Sept. 11 at the 2017 ORAU Education Grants Award Ceremony & Reception in Pollard Technology Conference Center. (Submitted photo)

 

ORAU awarded 38 teachers from 14 East Tennessee schools more than $36,000 on Monday at the 16th annual ORAU Education Grants ceremony.

Educational materials and equipment purchased with the grant awards—such as iPads, computer software, robotics kits, and more—will help teachers continue to meet state-wide curriculum standards and enhance the learning experience of their students in STEM subjects, a press release said.

“ORAU is proud to support schools in Anderson County by helping local educators obtain the resources and tools required to engage students of all ages in STEM subjects while enriching their education,” ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page said. “These educators never fail to demonstrate their dedication to student success.”

Since beginning the Education Grant program in 2002, ORAU has provided more than $487,000 to area schools to fund educational projects that complement its mission of enriching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, the press release said. [Read more…]

CNS grant gives Roane State students opportunity to complete valuable training

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Anderson County High student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

Anderson County High School student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

CLINTON—High school students in the dual enrollment mechatronics program at Roane State Community College received a final-semester financial boost, thanks to a grant from employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC.

Those employees of CNS—the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge—last year awarded a $10,000 grant to underwrite the Spring 2017 tuition for mechatronics students in Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Anderson County high schools. The grant was awarded through the CNS Community Investment Fund.

The Community Investment Fund provides thousands of dollars to local nonprofits. Y-12 employees work with the East Tennessee Foundation to award the grants through a competitive grant process.

In the mechatronics program, high school students take courses in maintaining and improving automated machines and robots used by many of today’s manufacturers, said Gordon Williams, director of Roane State’s mechatronics program. [Read more…]

Mother, daughter graduate from Roane State, will start business together

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Roane State massage therapy student Ciarra Wallace and mother Holly Green graduated in May and plan to start their own business. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State massage therapy student Ciarra Wallace and mother Holly Green graduated in May and plan to start their own business. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

This mother-daughter team is learning together and soon intend to be earning together.

Holly Green and daughter Ciarra Wallace are finishing the massage therapy program at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus and plan to go into business as therapists in Jacksboro.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to share this adventure and milestone with my daughter,” Green said. “This way, the family stays together and we help one another.”

Mom and daughter have made the 45-minute commute from their Campbell County home to take their classes.

Green and Wallace obtained their certificates in May, will take the licensure exams this summer, and intend to rent space in Simplicity Salon in Jacksboro, 111 Rusty Road, for the family business. [Read more…]

Roane State Tennessee Promise student ready to take next step after graduation

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Shelley Edwards (Submitted photo)

Shelley Edwards (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

For Roane State’s Shelley Edwards, the Tennessee Promise scholarship and mentoring program came along at just the right time.

Edwards was among the first group of students to take advantage of Tennessee Promise, a last-dollar scholarship that allows students to go to community colleges tuition-free.

“With the HOPE Scholarship and Tennessee Promise, I haven’t had to pay anything for my education,” said Edwards, 19, the daughter of Michael and Linda Edwards of Rockwood.

She’s maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average at Roane State.

She received an associate of science degree in chemistry in May, setting the stage for her transfer next fall to Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. She plans to major in chemical engineering with a concentration in bio-molecular engineering. [Read more…]

Roane State graduation set for May 5-6

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Roane State Community College will hold commencement ceremonies on May 5-6.

The ceremonies, to be held in the gym on the Roane County campus in Harriman, will be equal in presentation.

  • Friday, May 5, at 2 p.m. (EDT) for recipients of the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in nursing and for recipients of the A.A.S. in surgical technology.
  • Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m. (EDT) for recipients of A.A.S. degrees in allied health sciences, and for recipients of certificates in allied health sciences.
  • Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m. (EDT) for recipients of Associate of Arts degrees and Associate of Science degrees (including Middle College students), recipients of the Associate of Science in Teaching, and recipients of A.A.S. degrees or certificates in all other fields.

[Read more…]

Public invited to Congressional Art Competition at Roane State Oak Ridge campus on Sunday

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The public is invited to the 2017 Congressional Art Competition Awards Ceremony on Sunday, April 30, at Roane State Community College’s Oak Ridge campus.

The Art Competition for students in Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District, represented by Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, is held annually to recognize the artistic talents of high school students.

The Awards Ceremony will be held from 1:30-3 p.m. in the City Room of the Coffey-McNally Building. Visitors are welcome to view the artwork, which is on display on campus, located at 701 Briarcliff Avenue in Oak Ridge. Seating for the Awards Ceremony is limited.

The main goal of the art competition is to support and foster creativity among America’s youth. The winner of the art competition will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Also, the winner will be awarded a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a reception and see their artwork hung inside the U.S. Capitol, a press release said.

This press release was submitted by Owen Driskill.

Roane State award-winning author Genovise has new book

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Elizabeth Genovise

Elizabeth Genovise

 

There’s a “bit of the magical” in her new work of fiction, author and Roane State assistant professor Elizabeth Genovise says.

Genovise’s latest literary effort, what she describes “one very long ‘short’ story,” is titled “The Stone Pear.” It’s now available for pre-order from publisher Anchor & Plume Press in Louisiana.

It’s the coming-of-age story of a girl coming to grips with her mother’s fragile health while also becoming obsessed with a pair of migrant workers boarding at her parents’ farm.

Genovise, who has taught English composition and literature at Roane State since 2010, says “The Stone Pear” is an unusual departure from what she calls her “strictly realistic stories.” [Read more…]