Brookfield High School teachers Lisa Henry and Tim Reinsel were among only six high school educators selected to attend the Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge this summer.
The two-week academy provides educators with a unique professional development experience working alongside scientists from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education’s REAC/TS Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory. The program is sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission and managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities.
Throughout the academy, Henry and Reinsel participated in inquiry-based, hands-on projects while exploring real-world applications of STEM concepts. The experience concluded with group presentations in which participants shared their research findings and project outcomes with fellow educators, mentors and program leaders.
“The Appalachian STEM Academy was an experience of a lifetime,” Henry said. “It is something I have always wanted to do. The opportunity to work alongside top researchers and learn from them was intriguing to me.”
During the academy, Henry toured the world-class facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and worked with scientists and researchers studying hydropower, dams, fish identification and data science. Her research included an in-depth look at data from the Mahoning and Shenango River watersheds.
Henry’s work culminated in a research poster and a five-minute Ignite-style presentation titled “What To Do With All This Dam Data,” during which her slides automatically advanced every 15 seconds.
“As an educator, it was incredibly helpful to learn how math and science are applied in real-world situations,” Henry said. “There are so many different jobs available that our students aren’t aware of. I hope to share what I learned with my students so they may be inspired to pursue careers in research or other STEM fields.”
Reinsel also described the academy as a rewarding experience filled with both challenging work and enjoyable opportunities.
“It was a great experience, and Tennessee was a wonderful state,” Reinsel said. “Everyone at the Appalachian STEM Academy was so helpful and kind. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. They kept us busy pretty much all day.”
Reinsel was also impressed by the story behind the facilities the educators visited.
“The history of Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a story that is not often told,” Reinsel said. “It is a very interesting part of our country’s history.”
Henry and Reinsel shared the experience with four other high school educators and 42 high school juniors and seniors from across the Appalachian region.
“These exceptional educators are chosen through a highly competitive application process,” said Jennifer Tyrell, associate manager at ORAU. “Many of them serve in economically distressed counties, and this academy provides a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in applied science and STEM research. By participating, they gain valuable insights and inspiration that they can bring back to their classrooms, empowering the next generation of innovators.”
The Appalachian STEM Academy is fully funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission and offered at no cost to participants. Opportunities are also available for middle and high school students, extending the academy’s impact throughout the Appalachian region.
This year’s program was held July 11–24 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Brookfield Local Schools congratulates Henry and Reinsel on earning this highly competitive opportunity. Their experiences will help bring new ideas, authentic scientific applications and valuable STEM learning opportunities back to Brookfield students.