Participants given the opportunity to explore Artificial Intelligence, 3D Printing and City Planning
Oak Ridge, Tenn. — Eli Epperson of Cawood, KY was one of 52 middle school students chosen to participate in the Appalachian STEM Academy, a one-week summer program that allows students to interact with and be mentored by science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) experts. The program is sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Epperson, a student at Cawood Elementary, worked with other students in small collaborative teams with experienced teachers to utilize current technology to solve a problem in Appalachian communities.
The small team approach provides an opportunity to collaboratively tackle a real-world issue in Appalachia and propose a solution to the issue through a hands-on, inquiry-based approach. In addition to research, many other activities are incorporated into the program to promote teamwork, expose students to college opportunities, and promote pride in the cultural richness and historical importance of the Appalachian region. This program is fully funded and complimentary to participants, and it is also open to high school students and high school teachers.
"Through a meticulous application process, the Appalachian Regional Commission handpicks students from across the 13-state Appalachian region who demonstrate a keen interest in science, technology, engineering and math," stated Jennifer Tyrell, Associate Manager at ORAU. "Our mission is to ignite a spark for STEM in these participants by providing them with unparalleled access to mentorship from distinguished scientists. We aim to fuel their passion for these critical fields, laying down the foundational stones for future careers in STEM."
The educational program was divided into two cohorts of 26 students each. Cohort 1 occurred July 5 – 11, and cohort 2 occurred July 12 – 18. Participants were hosted by ORAU.
ORAU integrates academia, government and industry to advance the nation’s learning, health and scientific knowledge to build a better world. Through our specialized teams of subject matter experts, decades of experience, and collaborations with our consortium of more than 160 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU is a recognized leader when the priorities of our federal, state, local, and commercial customers require innovative solutions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). ORAU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and government contractor.
For more information, visit https://www.orau.org/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeAssociatedUniversities
X, formerly known as Twitter: https://twitter.com/orau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orau
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orautogether/