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Wlaf1450Schools earn money for classroom resources
TOP PHOTO: Jellico Elementary School partnered with Clayton Homes of Appalachia to win first place and a $1,000 STEM grant from Consolidated Nuclear Security for their classroom. The team also placed third in the People’s Choice Awards.
OAK RIDGE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- Jellico Elementary School won first place in the ninth annual “Dream it. Do it.” competition, which is sponsored by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS). “Dream It. Do It.” pairs eighth grade students with local industries.
The students produce videos describing the businesses, then the videos are judged to determine the winners of the competition. The “goal of the program is to introduce students to careers in manufacturing and help develop the future workforce,” according to Kathryn King with CNS.
The students’ entries were judged on a rubric to award STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) classroom grants from CNS. Jellico Elementary School, which partnered with Clayton Homes of Appalachia, took first place, winning $1,000 for use in the classroom.
The program was initially offered to middle schools in Anderson County. Campbell County Schools were added last year, and Scott and Union counties were added this year.
“We’re introducing careers in manufacturing to local educators and students. Students from the 10 schools worked with eight industry partners to learn more about careers and training opportunities in manufacturing available in the local area,” King said.
Kristin Waldschlager, educational outreach specialist for Y-12 National Security Complex, said she was thrilled with the program’s growth. “This program is one of many ways we are investing in the future workforce,” she said. “Supporting this program to excite students and educators about manufacturing opportunities in the local area helps Y-12 and other industries meet future employment needs.”
Anderson County Chamber of Commerce President Rick Meredith agrees. He said, “There are so many great manufacturing opportunities locally. Increasing awareness of those opportunities helps students, teachers, industries, and the community.”
Top teams earn STEM classroom grants
Jellico Elementary’s video explained the Clayton Homes manufacturing process with a creative take on Dorothy from the “Wizard of Oz” searching for a new home following a tornado. At the end, Dorothy concludes, “There’s no place like Clayton,” as she clicks her ruby slippers together.
Clinton Middle School, working with Techmer PM, placed second in the Dream it. Do it. competition, winning a $750 STEM grant for their classroom from Consolidated Nuclear Security. The team also placed second in the People’s Choice Awards.
Clinton Middle School earned second place and a $750 grant for their work with Techmer PM. Their creative entry described Techmer PM’s work as they assisted aliens in repairing their spaceship.
Working with Eagle Bend Manufacturing, MAGNA, Jefferson Middle School took third place and a $500 grant. Their video explained MAGNA’s role in making automotive products through a scenario requiring repair of a wreck-damaged minivan.
The public was also invited to vote on the videos to determine the People’s Choice Awards. In that competition, Norwood Elementary received first place for “Andiana Combs and the Legend of the Lost Car,” which focused on AISIN Automotive Casting. Clinton Middle School and Jellico Elementary took second and third place, respectively.
Additional schools and partners
The other industry-school pairings included the following:
• Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee with Jacksboro and Norwood Middle Schools
• Clayton Homes of Maynardville with Horace Maynard Middle School
• GEON Performance Solutions with Lake City Middle School
• Covenant Methodist Medical Center with Robertsville Middle School
• SL Tennessee with LaFollette and Norris Middle Schools
(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/19/2025-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS RYAN SUTTON)