Oak Ridge Today

Jefferson Middle School teachers to represent Tennessee at National Geographic Society training

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The Tennessee Geographic Alliance has chosen Jefferson Middle School teachers Brian Smith and John Beard of Oak Ridge Schools to represent Tennessee at a special training session at the headquarters of the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C., from June 24-28.

The purpose of the Summer Institute is to train educators on the Geo-Inquiry Process, which involves the following phases:

  • Developing Scientific and Geographic Questions,
  • Acquiring Scientific and Geographic Information,
  • Organizing and Analyzing Scientific and Geographic Information,
  • Developing Scientific and Geographic Stories, and
  • Sharing Scientific and Geographic Stories.

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Students, teachers come to Oak Ridge for summer science learning, fun

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ARC, ORAU, and ORNL Summer High School Institute

Participants of the 2014 ARC/ORNL/ORAU High School Institute. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

 

While the majority of young students were using their break from school to enjoy nice weather and a variety of summer activities, 34 exceptional high school students along with 13 teachers from across 12 Appalachian states chose to spend two weeks of their summer vacation participating in a hands-on institute focused on math, science, and technology.

The Appalachian Regional Commission, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities hosted the 25th annual High School Summer and Math-Science-Technology Institute from July 7-18, during which the students and teachers worked on cutting-edge science projects with mentors at ORNL and participated in a variety of East Tennessee tours and activities.

Students were nominated by their state governor and chosen to participate in the program by ARC. They were selected based on their potential to excel in math and science, to continue in higher learning, and to influence others in their communities as the leaders of tomorrow.

Since 2000, the program has provided a total of 542 students and 223 teachers with in-lab learning experiences at one of the nation’s premier national laboratories. In addition, they have had the opportunity to visit some of the area’s most popular educational and recreational attractions. [Read more…]