Oak Ridge Today

ORAU awards more than $36,000 in grants to East Tennessee teachers

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ORAU Education Grants Ceremony

East Tennessee teachers accept more than $36,000 in education grants from Oak Ridge Associated Universities during a ceremony last week. (Photo submitted by ORAU)

Oak Ridge Associated Universities awarded more than $36,000 to about two dozen East Tennessee teachers during a grants ceremony last week.

The grants were used to buy educational materials and equipment such as interactive white boards, iPads, robotics kits, computers, and more. The equipment will help teachers “continue to meet rigorous, state-wide curriculum standards and enhance the learning experience of their students,” a press release said.

The grants were awarded to 23 teachers from 15 schools during the 11th annual ORAU Education Grants ceremony.

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ORAU seeks applicants for Extreme Classroom Makeover

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities has set a Sept. 7 deadline for local teachers who intend to apply for an Extreme Classroom Makeover contest.

Teachers within 50 miles of Oak Ridge can compete in the fifth annual contest, which awards $25,000 worth of new educational technologies as well as training and support.

This year, eligible teachers include those who teach math and science to public school children from 3rd grade to 10th grade.

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ORAU grant buys new technology for Pigeon Forge classroom

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ORAU Extreme Classroom Makeover

Fifth-grade students showcase their technology skills in a Pigeon Forge Middle School classroom outfitted with new equipment using a $30,000 grant from Oak Ridge Associated Universities. (Photo submitted by ORAU)

A $30,000 grant from a federal contractor in Oak Ridge filled a Pigeon Forge classroom with new technology this summer.

Heather Burkhart, a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Pigeon Forge Middle School, received the grant from Oak Ridge Associated Universities in that nonprofit’s fourth annual Extreme Classroom Makeover competition.

An ORAU press release said the grant supports educators who use technology in the classroom to inspire more students to pursue math and science-based careers.

ORAU establishes relationship with United Global Technologies

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ORAU-UGT Agreement

ORAU President and CEO Andy Page, seated left, signs a mentor-protégé progam agreement with Elizabeth Bernstein, president and CEO of United Global Technologies. Standing, from left to right, are Sharon Jacobs, Heidi Timmerman, Rebecca Crowe and Cindy Snow, members of ORAU’s procurement and contracts administration department. (Photo by ORAU)

Oak Ridge Associated Universities and United Global Technologies recently signed an agreement for a two-year supportive relationship under a federal mentor-protégé program.

Through this relationship, ORAU serves as a business mentor to UGT, providing consultation on a variety of financial, organizational, and business management topics, a press release said

UGT is an economically disadvantaged, women-owned small business based in Charlotte, N.C., that provides information technology and engineering services. It was founded in 2002 and focuses on the needs of federal, state, and local government agencies, the press release said.

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ORAU renews agreement with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities has renewed a five-year agreement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to continue providing technical assistance for radiological surveys and assessments.

The $5.4 million agreement will last through 2017, an ORAU press release said.

Under the agreement, ORAU will perform laboratory analyses, document reviews, inspections, and surveys related to the decommissioning of previously contaminated reactor and materials sites.

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Students from Appalachia attend high school science camp

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High School Summer Science Camp

Three dozen high school students from 12 Appalachian states participate in a math, science, technology institute this month. (Photo submitted by Oak Ridge Associated Universities)

Three dozen high school students and 14 teachers from 12 Appalachian states spent two weeks in East Tennessee this month for a math, science, and technology camp.

The camp was hosted by two local organizations, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Oak Ridge Associated Universities, as well as the Appalachian Regional Commission.

The students and teachers were able to work with mentors at ORNL during the hands-on camp, the 23rd annual High School Summer and Math-Science-Technology Institute. They also participated in East Tennessee tours and activities.

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ORAU has new compensation, benefits director

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Meghan Millwood

Meghan Millwood

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has a new compensation and benefits director.

Meghan Millwood, who has been ORAU’s manager of human resources operations, has been promoted to the position, a press release said.

“Throughout Meghan’s more than 10 years here at ORAU, she has capably served in a variety of progressively responsible positions within the human resources office,” said Dan Standley, ORAU vice president of human resources. “We are very pleased to now have her contributing in her new role as a director on the management team.”

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ORAU hosts first Tennessee STEM leadership academy


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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.

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ORAU names new environment, safety, health director

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Tom Wantland

Tom Wantland, new director of ORAU’s Environment, Safety and Health program.

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has a new Environment, Safety and Health program director.

Tom Wantland has been promoted to the position, an ORAU press release said.

Wantland, who has been serving as ORAU’s manager of safety and environmental management, will now oversee the daily operations of the ESH program and assume the role of ORAU’s corporate safety director.

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ORAU awards five $1,200 scholarships

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities has awarded five $1,200 William G. Pollard Scholarships for undergraduate studies during the 2012-2013 academic year.

The scholarship recipients are Julie Davis, Krista Marie Ellis, Carolyn Huppmann, Eric Meissner, and Austin Scircle, an ORAU press release said.

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