Norwood Middle School repeats win of “Dream it. Do it.” competition

CNS provides donations to winners for classroom resources

Norwood Middle School students, who partnered with Aisin Automotive, took first place in the Dream it. Do it. competition that introduces middle-school students to opportunities in manufacturing.

Oak Ridge, Tenn.— With a nod to Willy Wonka, Norwood Middle School’s video featuring a golden piston earned first place in the annual Dream it. Do it. competition sponsored by the Anderson County Chamber and Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS).

The competition pairs students from Anderson County middle schools with local manufacturers. The student teams work with the companies to develop videos that describe the businesses. The entries are reviewed against a rubric scored by a team of judges, with the top three schools receiving monetary donations from CNS for classroom resources. The Peoples’ Choice Award is determined by votes from the public on the Anderson County Chamber website, with the winners also receiving a donation for their school.

Students use creativity and humor

The students used various methods to communicate about the industries, from newscasts to creative tales. From Mee Maw to Superman, the videos engaged viewers with descriptions of local manufacturing operations.

Adapting a scenario from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, Norwood Middle School’s submission with a search for the golden piston located under the hood of a Toyota. That piston was the key to a Wonka-ish tour of Aisin Automotive describing its processes and products for Charlene and Mee Maw. The piston unlocked the judges’ votes as well, earning Norwood Middle School a $1,000 donation from CNS for classroom resources.

Robertsville Middle School’s video featuring Superman to highlight Eagle Bend Manufacturing, Inc. placed second, receiving a $750 donation from CNS. The Laker Line newscast from Lake City Middle School that covered the mysteries of SL Tennessee took third place, receiving a donation of $500. Lake City Middle School also won the Peoples’ Choice Award with an additional $250 donation.

Engaging the future workforce

Since 2016, the Anderson County Chamber, Anderson County Schools, and CNS have sponsored Dream it. Do it. with the goal of introducing students to job opportunities and careers in manufacturing. With the involvement of local area industries Aisin Automotive, Clayton Homes, Eagle Bend Manufacturing,

Protomet, SL Tennessee, and Techmer PM, the program continues to excite area students about careers in manufacturing.

“Each year, I’m blown away by the creativity of these students,” said Kristin Waldschalger, CNS educational outreach specialist. “Seeing them represent the industries in such unique ways demonstrates their understanding and appreciation of the companies.”

“We are thrilled with the participation of local companies in this program,” said Anderson County Chamber President, Rick Meredith. “They are providing so much more than access to their facilities — they are providing insight into future careers.”

The team from Robertsville Middle School placed second with their video to promote Eagle Bend Manufacturing.

Lake City Middle School earned third place and the Peoples’ Choice Award with their video featuring SL Tennessee.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Kathryn King, APR
Communications
Office (865) 315.5996
Kathryn.King@pxy12.doe.gov