Dream it. Do it. program kicks off
The Anderson County Chamber, Anderson County Schools, and Consolidated Nuclear Security partnered to virtually kick off the annual “Dream It. Do it.” East Tennessee competition on Anderson County Television Dec. 1.
The competition pairs industries with middle schools to enable students to learn about manufacturing careers.
CNS, the managing and operating contractor for the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, has helped facilitate and sponsor the competition since its inception six years ago.
“There are many opportunities in manufacturing at Y-12 and across the area,” said Kristin Waldschlager, education outreach specialist for Y-12. “We want to expose students to those opportunities early so they are aware of the possible career paths.”
This competition relies on area industries to partner with participating middle schools. This year, Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee, Eagle Bend Manufacturing, Clayton Homes of Appalachia, Protomet Corporation, SL TN, and Techmer PM will each host six to eight students to tour and interact with employees in order to learn about the industries. Students from the six participating middle schools will work to create a competition entry that explains “What’s So Cool about Manufacturing.” The winning entries will receive money to fund science, technology, engineering, and math activities at their schools.
Video of the kickoff is available on Anderson County Television’s YouTube channel. In April 2022, the public will have an opportunity to vote for contest entries on the Anderson County Chamber’s website at andersoncountychamber.org.