Oak Ridge Today

ORAU names business development manager for science education, assessment, workforce development

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Terry Payne

Terry Payne

Terry L. Payne, former senior research and development program manager for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been named business development manager for ORAU’s programs related to science education, assessment, and workforce development.

In his new role, Payne will identify viable opportunities for gaining new business, formulate competitive strategies for growth, and develop networks and partnerships for ORAU. He will maintain and develop strategic relationships with federal agencies, state, and local government entities, government contractors, and private industry, a press release said.

“We are thrilled to have Terry join our team in this leadership role,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “His economic development experience will enhance our relationships with both our customers and our community partners. Plus, Terry’s extensive experience will help him identify new business opportunities for ORAU.” [Read more…]

The Smithsonian, ORNL partner to advance science, education

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Smithsonian Wayne Clough, Thom Mason, and Jeff Nichols

Pictured above during a Thursday signing ceremony at the Smithsonian Institution’s Castle Commons are, from left, Wayne Clough, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; ORNL Director Thom Mason; and ORNL associate lab director for computing and computational sciences Jeff Nichols. (Photo by John Gibbons/Smithsonian)

 

The Smithsonian Institution and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have announced a new partnership to support collaborative research programs and science education efforts. This is the first partnership between Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Smithsonian, which was formalized during the signing of a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, on Thursday, June 12.

The Smithsonian and Oak Ridge National Laboratory both examine many of the world’s most complex and time-sensitive scientific problems and support many research programs that complement and reinforce each other. They also support science education to impact students and teachers from elementary school through post-doctoral studies. The MOU, signed by Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough and ORNL Director Thom Mason, creates a framework for future collaboration between the two organizations that leverages the strengths of each.

“The Smithsonian is proud to partner with another organization that realizes that basic research is vital to the future of the nation, and that knowledge about the natural world is inherently valuable to society,” Clough said. “This agreement will help us each maximize our strengths and achieve our common goals across a broad spectrum of scientific endeavor.” [Read more…]

JMS teams No. 1 in sixth, seventh grade at ORAU middle school math competition

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ORAU Jefferson Middle School Math Competition

Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge won best overall score and was recognized for being the top school in the seventh-grade level at the Tennessee Middle School Math Competition recently held at Pellissippi State Community College. Pictured from left to right are Dean Evasius, ORAU vice president and director of Science Education Programs, and JMS teacher Rosa Falkner, Bill Andress, Ethan Brady, Steven Qu, Henry Shen, Kenny Moon, and Eagle Yuan. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

 

KNOXVILLE—More than 600 students from 40 area schools competed for the honor of being named the top middle school math students in East Tennessee. The 2014 Tennessee Middle School Math Competition, now in its 14th year, was held recently at Pellissippi State Community College and was sponsored by ORAU.

Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge walked away with the No. 1 team ranking for the best overall score in both the sixth- and seventh-grade team categories. Farragut Middle School in Knoxville took the No. 1 team ranking for the eighth-grade team category.

The first-place individual winners for top overall scores were all from Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge and included Yikun Zhang, sixth grade; William Andress, seventh grade; and Joseph Andress, eighth grade. [Read more…]