CNS has invested $60,000 in STEM education through program
Oak Ridge, Tenn.— Norris Middle School won first place in the tenth annual “Dream it. Do it.” competition sponsored by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), which manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex for the National Nuclear Security Administration.
“Dream It. Do It.” pairs eighth-grade students with local industries to produce videos describing the businesses. The videos are then 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.
Celebrating 10 years of competition
Almost 500 students have participated over the 10 years of the program, with approximately half of them having already graduated high school and headed to college or started careers using some of the skills they learned through “Dream it. Do it.”
The program has collaborated with 11 industry partners, the majority of which have returned each year to dedicate time and resources to working with the students as they complete their projects. In total, CNS has invested $60,000 into the “Dream It. Do It.” competition to assist with career and technical education.
The program was initially offered to middle schools in Anderson County. Campbell County Schools were added in the 2023–2024 school year, and Scott and Union counties were added in 2024–2025. This year, students from 10 schools worked with 10 industry partners to learn more about careers and training opportunities in manufacturing available in the local area.
“As a major employer in Anderson County and the greater East Tennessee region, Y-12 understands the value of investing in education,” said Kristin Waldschlager, CNS educational outreach specialist. “This program is one of many ways we are investing in the future workforce,” she said. “Through this competition, our goal is to provide students with early exposure to the world of work to better prepare them for college and full-time employment within local industries.”
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. Norris Middle School, which partnered with Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, took first place, winning $1,000 for use in the classroom.
Norris Middle’s video, “Methodist Medical Center: A Home for Everyone,” highlighted the skills and equipment needed to enable the hospital to treat patients. The humorous tale ended with a young couple heading home with their newborn daughter.
Clinton Middle School earned second place and a $750 grant for their work with GEON Performance Solutions. Their entry simulated a near-death experience to illustrate how GEON manufacturers make products, including parts, for items like lifesaving defibrillators.
Working with Clayton Homes of Appalachia, Lafollette Middle School took third place and a $500 grant. Their video focused on how Clayton Homes could help “MeeMaw” purchase an energy-efficient home at a reasonable price.
The public was also invited to vote on the videos to determine the People’s Choice Awards. In that competition, Horace Maynard Middle School received first place for their entry describing Tennova Powell. Their video imagined news reporting on a down-to-the-wire basketball game that resulted in injured players being treated by the hospital.
Additional schools and partners
The other industry–school pairings included the following:
- Clayton Homes of Maynardville with Jacksboro Middle School
- Magna International with Jellico Middle School
- Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee with Jefferson Middle School
- Telos Global with Lake City Middle School
- SL Tennessee with Norwood Middle School
- Techmer PM with Robertsville Middle School