Jellico Elementary School wins student manufacturing competition

Schools earn money for classroom resources

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, Tenn — 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.

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. Students from the 10 schools worked with 8 industry partners to learn more about careers and training opportunities in manufacturing available in the local area.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Jefferson Middle School placed third in the Dream it. Do it. competition, receiving a $500 STEM grant from Consolidated Nuclear Security for their classroom. The students worked with Eagle Bend Manufacturing, MAGNA.

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

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Y-12 is a key facility 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, visit www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Kathryn King, APR
Communications
Office (865) 315.5996
Kathryn.King@y12nsc.doe.gov