LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Approximately 30 youth and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers from local middle schools have been working on STEM projects utilizing a Bosch Community Grant that was awarded to Postmark LaFollette. The projects were designed around five questions that needed solutions. On Sunday afternoon, the participants were able to showcase their work to the community.

The youth alongside their teachers spoke about their projects and were given medals for participation by Campbell County Mayor E.L. Morton. Each group had a presentation set up for the community to view.

Students from Jellico Elementary School.

Jellico Elementary students Wyatt Baird, Alydda Brandenburg, Lila Lawson, Kendall Osborn and Malakhi Thomas and teacher Heather Wallace were given the question of environmental wastes on designated ATV and UTV trails and trail heads. The group had to create an outreach to provide awareness of the problem of polluting to help improve the issues. Students created a campaign for awareness utilizing prior work initiated by local entities as a guide. Morton announced that the county had worked the day before (Saturday) with a few agencies to host a clean-up because of the project.

Elk Valley Elementary Students were charged with finding a solution for energy needs for the next 20-years.

Elk Valley Elementary School students Ella Chapman, Willow Cottrill, Kaydon Hollifield and Lillie Morgan with their teacher Mary Beth Seiber were to find a solution for energy needs for the next twenty years with the production of clean energy and technology. The result of their project was wind turbine farms.

Jacksboro Middle School students Eden Elkins, Riley Quintos, Cooper Sammons, Hunter Stanton and Jenna Stephens worked on a what the community will look like in 20 years with a focus on activities for youth in the community. Two solutions the group came up with were an inflatable obstacle course on Norris Lake and a mountain coaster.

LaFollette Middle School’s project addressed the specific needs of growing work ready workers.

LaFollette Middle School students Gavin Bridges, Allison Piercy, Logan Surber, Lamden Vinsant and Emmalynn Woods with teacher Shaniell Johnson worked on addressing the specific needs of growing work ready workers for the local advanced manufacturing employers. Students proposed the employers come to the middle schools yearly and talk with the students about their company and how to prepare themselves for the jobs in the future. The group also proposed the concept of a free medical clinic in Campbell County to serve those without health insurance.

La Follette Middle School students and teacher.

Homeschool students and Friends Jacksboro Middle students Sophie Copeland, Aleeyah Roberts, Anaia Roberts, Ayiana Roberts and Asher York alongside Laura Asbury were to develop a plan to provide awareness of and access to recreation using resources that are available in the area. The group designed a website to address their issue including a mascot Rec the Squirrel. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/19/2021-6AM)

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