The Appalachian STEM Academy will allow 26 high school teachers to participate in collaborative research at ORNL, a world-class research facility. Mentored by ORNL researchers and facilitators on research projects, teachers will strengthen and broaden their scientific and content knowledge, research skills, and collaboration skills.

Teachers will enhance their pedagogical abilities by integrating scientific information and activities related to their research projects into inquiry-based lessons and laboratory experiences for their classrooms. The teachers will network with each other on educational ideas, knowledge of online resources, and curricular information, especially as it relates to the Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, and their individual state standards.

In small teams of teachers, participants will conduct short-term research projects at ORNL and/or Pellissippi State Community College. The participants will also receive an introduction to engineering design and entrepreneurship through evening activities. In addition, they will have opportunities to attend a variety of cultural and recreational activities that enrich and celebrate their Appalachian heritage and extend the research and science activities outside the laboratory.