2009 ARC/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Summer Institutes
The Appalachian Regional Commission is pleased to announce that it is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to provide two residential, hands-on learning institutes focusing on math, science, and technology for high school students and teachers (July 11-24, 2009) and for middle school students (July 19-24, 2009).
ORNL is one of the largest U.S. Department of Energy research facilities in the United States. It is devoted to multi-purpose research and development and is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Knoxville, Tennessee, near the famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park. ORISE is a U.S. Department of Energy facility managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities. ORISE has a diverse array of complementary science education and other programs.
The ARC/ORNL Institutes are a unique opportunity for participants to work with research scientists on relevant math and scientific topics facing the world in the 21st century. Participants will work in teams of three to six members on research projects. The team approach provides an opportunity to conduct research activities and solve problems in a group setting.
The 2009 participants will be housed at a hotel in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, near ORNL and ORISE facilities. Student participants will be chaperoned 24-hours a day by experienced teachers who have worked with ORNL programs for several years. Participant teachers will not be responsible for chaperoning students.
All major expenses, including meals, lodging, transportation to and from the participant’s home base and local transportation, will be covered for participants. Teacher participants will receive a stipend.
The participants will spend most days in one of several ORNL research laboratories, but field trips to nearby industries, universities, and museums will be scheduled to enhance learning more about Appalachia and some of its unique characteristics.
For High School Students and Teachers
July 11-24, 2009
At least two high school students and two teachers from Western North Carolina will join participants from the other 12 ARC states in a two-week learning program that will focus on the application of math and science principles in the world of work.
Participants may
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Study biodiversity in wetlands and springs
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Protect computer data using cryptography
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Design a website
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Build and program a robot
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Visit America’s largest underground lake
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Tour a dairy and see milk bottled and ice-cream produced
To see what pariticpants did at the 2008 Institute click here.
Applications are submitted through the ARC Program Manager and must be received no later than March 4, 2009.
For Middle School Students
July 19-24, 2009
At least two middle school students from Western North Carolina will join 24 other participants from Appalachia in this one-week residential hands-on science camp focusing on math, science, and technology.
Research topics and activities may include such areas as:
- Biofuels and alternative energy
- Climate and global warming
- Robotics
- Our environment
Applications are submitted through the ARC State Program Manager and must be received no later than April 30, 2009.
Click here for applications.