L&N STEM Academy – KCS Hall Pass

September 19, 2024September 17, 2024 Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment, Student Success

Groundbreaking Nuclear Energy Course Prepares L&N STEM Academy Students for Future Careers

L&N STEM Academy launched a groundbreaking nuclear energy class, marking a significant milestone in high school education.

Led by teacher Brooke Carter, the course is the first of its kind in Tennessee at the high school level, offering students a unique opportunity to dive into nuclear physics and engineering.

The school acquired new lab equipment last year, and the interested students took part in a self-exploratory trial run of the class, which then evolved into a full course with structured content and standards.

“The first half of the year is focused on nuclear physics, and the second half transitions into nuclear engineering, emphasizing safety and real-world applications,” she added.

This course is particularly valuable to students interested in fields like engineering, physics, and nuclear science.

“It’s a lot of prep for college. We’re using university-level textbooks, which makes me feel like this class is setting me up for success in college,” junior Griffin Cook said. “It makes me excited because I am a part of the start of something great.”

Cook noted the class has brought together a group of like-minded students.

“It’s more niche, but it’s something specific to what we want to do in college and provides a good environment for us to explore this together,” Cook said.

Kaylen Teague, another junior at L&N STEM Academy, echoed Cook’s sentiments.

“I came to this school for more science, engineering, and technology classes,” Teague said. “I’m really glad I have this opportunity because I want to be a nuclear engineer.”

This initiative not only equips students with advanced knowledge but also aligns with the 865 Academies‘ mission to prepare students for life after high school by offering real-world, career-aligned experiences.

As Carter emphasized, “Even if these students don’t pursue a career in nuclear physics or engineering, I hope this helps them develop lifelong learning and problem-solving skills.”

Career Empowerment and Preparation

Knox County Schools is dedicated to Career Empowerment and Preparation. At KCS, we are committed to preparing students for graduation and life after graduation. By providing students with early and meaningful opportunities to explore colleges and careers, KCS empowers students to confidently approach their future, prepared for the three Es: employment, enrollment, or enlistment.

January 31, 2024February 6, 2024 Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment, Student Success

Engineering Compassion: 865 Academies Students Repair Adaptive Toys for Special Learners

A dinosaur roar is a common sound in Connie Mithcell’s classroom at Fort Sanders Educational Development Center, where she works with two extraordinary students, Dino and Aiden, who both require total care, are non-verbal, and have low vision.

Despite being medically fragile, Dino and Aiden share the same love for play as their peers — especially drums, sound toys, and roaring toy dinosaurs — their favorite.

To make this possible, Aiden and Dino’s toys are adapted to suit their abilities — typically equipped with large buttons, arms, or switches that allow them to activate the sounds, motion, and other multi-sensory experiences.

“Adaptive toys and musical instruments provide unique learners a better chance to experience the joys other children in traditional classrooms do,” Mitchell said. “Even if they can’t hold or grasp a drumstick, they can play the drums like other students with the push of a button.”

According to Special Education Supervisor Shelli Eberle, adaptive toys play a vital role in facilitating communication and learning for students like Dino and Aiden.

“Using highly-engaging, brightly-colored, noisy switch toys, allows us to offer a full sensory experience, regardless of a student’s skill or ability,” she said. “It’s a crucial element of their education.”

But, like any well-loved play thing, these adaptable toys sometimes break and have to be thrown in trash or put away until they can be fixed.

L&N STEM Academy math teacher Brooke Carter knew fixing broken toys was something her Physics, Mechanics, and Engineering School sophomores could do. It was a creative and challenging task perfectly suited for a class service project.

“Some kids learned new skills through this project, and others were able to practice things they had already learned in class,” Carter said.

During the evaluation process, students worked together to identify malfunctions and devise repair solutions.

“It was pretty obvious what was wrong with some of the toys,” said student Kenzie Self. “But for some, we had to test out their circuits and other functions. We even had to remove some of the fur on one toy so a broken arm could be soldered back on.”

“Normally when we make something, it gets taken apart to be used for something else,” reflected student William Bieber. “Repairing these toys felt like recycling – giving them a new life.”

“The whole giving-back aspect was really cool because it puts a bigger sense of meaning into it,” said L&N STEM student Vivienne Ratner. “It’s nice to do something for someone else and have fun doing it.”

This kind of hands-on learning is exactly what The 865 Academies are designed to provide. Thanks to a little creative problem-solving, Dino and Aiden’s dinosaurs weren’t the only things roaring back to life. When all was said and done, the students successfully repaired 10 toys to return to Fort Sanders EDC.

Both schools plan to continue their partnership, and expand it to help more schools across the district.

December 1, 2023November 29, 2023 Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment, Student Success

Student Spotlight: Gryphon Guide and STEM Innovation Leader

Brianna Andrews was shooting for clouds when she decided to pursue aerospace engineering as a young girl.

A senior at L&N STEM Academy, her high school experience has prepared her to take the next step. Andrews is ready for college, but not everyone is.

That’s why the 865 Academies initiative was implemented at high schools throughout Knox County to help prepare students for enrolling in a college or trade school, enlisting in service to their country, or finding employment in a high-skill, high-wage career.

L&N offers its students programs in the School of Advanced Inquiry; School of Computational Science and Cybersecurity; School of Design Thinking; and School of Physics, Mechanics, and Engineering.

With advanced academic pathways like these now available, Andrews admitted she was a little envious of not being able to take part. Each high school has launched the academy initiative with a Freshman Academy to ease the transition from middle to high school. Those students will be the first to experience the academies and pathways model, but to get involved where she can, Andrews has participated in the Gryphon Guides, the student ambassador program for L&N.

“Being a Gryphon Guide allowed me to find my voice and become a leader because I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of things that I wouldn’t imagine myself doing,” Andrews said. “It’s been a great experience to get to be a part of something so special.”

Ambassadors serve as school representatives, giving tours to visitors and being the spokespeople for media spots. More than just repping their school, these programs also teach the soft skills necessary to nail job interviews, successfully lead teams, and converse with notable community members.

She said it’s easy to talk about L&N. It’s where her brother went, and it’s a place that she is proud to attend.

L&N STEM Academy was recently recognized as a Gold AP Honor Roll school, along with several other KCS schools.

“I really love talking about the things that we have going on here, and it’s such an impactful experience to be able to meet people in the community and talk about the things that I love about STEM – to help other students see the beauty in the school from the architecture to the people and the different things that we offer,” she said.

(Side note: Andrews’ favorite place on campus is the Idea Factory, a collaborative workspace for the newest ideas in STEM.)

Though she isn’t a part of the Academies, Andrews has taken part in a few unique internships – an important component of the 865 Academies model in addition to career talks, job shadowing, and work-based learning.

Andrews’ internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will grow her experience and increase her confidence as she prepares for an elite aerospace engineering program at a school like the University of Tennessee, Purdue University, or New York University.

With the help of her teachers, the support from her parents, and rigorous coursework from her school, Andrews is certain she will be prepared for all that comes her way.

Interested in learning more about how your organization can be an 865 Academies partner? Visit knoxschools.org/academies for details.

August 11, 2023September 14, 2023 Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment, Student Success

Middle School Student Wins Apple’s Swift Student Challenge

Dominick Pelaia was only nine years old when he began programming robots at the Apple Summer Camp. From there, his interest in coding only grew.

Now an official app developer, Pelaia learned the Swift programming language with his dad. His creative spirit led him to create his first game, Chicken Rumble.

“I wanted to make something fun that me and my friends would like to play,” Pelaia said. “I used a chicken theme because when I was younger, the first thing I built out of LEGOs was a chicken sitting on top of a house.”

The chicken theme would continue throughout his successive games, including the one that led to his success in the Swift Student Challenge.

When the then-eight grader’s inaugural app was accepted to the Apple App Store, he became a member of the Apple Developer Program. Just a few months later, they would invite him to participate in the Swift Student Challenge–a worldwide competition for student developers.

“The fact that my app was able to win because I know there were so many college students that participated … just really amazed me and showed how much hard work could help me do my thing,” he said. “I didn’t have that long to make the app. It was right in the middle of school testing, so I had to find a way to balance studying with actually making it.”

Pelaia and Egg Drop was one of 375 winners worldwide.

Now entering his freshman year of high school at L&N STEM Academy, he’s looking forward to continuing his education in computer science.

His advice for anyone also interested in coding: build a good foundation in math, take advantage of free resources, and never give up.

“Persistence is very important, no matter what goal you’re trying to achieve,” he said. “That was really instrumental when I was developing my first apps. There were a lot of bugs I had to deal with. I would just take a step back, think about it, then come back to it.”

January 27, 2023September 14, 2023 Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment, Student Supports

Career-Themed Academies Revealed For First Cohort Of The 865 Academies

The first cohort of The 865 Academies revealed their new career-themed Academies at a celebration hosted by Central High School on Thursday.

The 865 Academies initiative launched in the fall of 2022, and is designed to transform the high school experience in Knox County. The goal is for every KCS graduate to be prepared for enrolling in postsecondary studies; enlisting in service to their country; or finding employment in a high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand profession, with an entrepreneurial mindset.

By establishing career-themed academies, the initiative will create small learning communities within larger schools, allowing students to participate in career exploration activities and take a deep dive into areas of interest while also building strong connections with teachers and other students.

“We’ve got to prepare students, and school systems are uniquely positioned to do that,” said Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk. “Our job is to have students prepared for when they graduate.”

The celebration was attended by community leaders and industry partners, including Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who said 865Ready graduates will ultimately benefit Knox County and East Tennessee.

“This is just wonderful to see a really intentional, strategic effort to in some ways customize the student experience,” Jacobs said. “They get the tools and the skills that they need to excel in areas that they’re either naturally drawn to or things that they love.”

Gordon Heins, the president and chairman of the A.G. Heins Company, said industry partnerships positively impact both organizations and students. By working together, KCS students are provided valuable opportunities for work-based learning and career exploration.

“As an employer, we want students to come to us looking for good-paying jobs, and that they’re prepared, and they have the tools,” he said.

Central High School is in the first cohort of The 865 Academies, and Principal Dr. Andrew Brown said student performance in Algebra I has improved, while discipline referrals are down.”

Brown credited Freshman Seminar, a new class that focuses on helping 9th-graders identify interests, aptitudes and professional skills, adding that “we are already beginning to see great results out of that work.

CHS senior Justus Hayes was involved in the early stages of launching the Academies initiative, and is also an entrepreneur. He started his own business, Blended Clothing, and during the ceremony presented shirts to several local leaders.

“Entrepreneurship is a very important thing to me. I love creating, and bringing new apparel and things to our generation,” Hayes said. “It has been my honor to help build and show my support for something that will impact our current and future generations.”

Student Ambassadors from each school presented their new Academies alongside their principals. Below are the Academies for the first cohort.