Battelle Partnership With State Almost Underway

Before their careers begin, science teachers spend hours in college and university laboratories, learning the ins and outs of how the world works.

When they leave that environment for the classroom, it becomes harder to keep track of new discoveries and techniques. But a new partnership is on track to begin bringing that knowledge to Tennessee’s teachers soon.

The science and technology firm Battelle operates the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and works with the University of Tennessee. Now, the company is going to help Tennessee’s Education Department create state of the art labs designed to give teachers hands-on experience with the newest developments in science, engineering, and math. State Education Commissioner Tim Webb says those centers should be ready to open next summer. Right now, they’re in the final stages of hammering out a contract.

 

“We’re still working out the relationship between who does what with regard to the foundation, the Battelle Foundation that actually runs the lab, and we’ve had some visits to Ohio to look at the network that they stood up there, which is very similar to what we’re going to be doing here.”

 

Eventually, teachers in Tennessee and Ohio may work together to share ideas for teaching math and science.