AMSE and Dept. of Energy partner to teach history of technology and science in Oak Ridge
The American Museum of Science and Energy is considered one of the top tourist attractions in Oak Ridge, attracting around 65,000 per year, according to officials. Author: WBIR Staff Updated: 7:02 PM EST February 26, 2021
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. A museum teaching visitors about science and technology in Oak Ridge signed a new agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to improve their education methods, exhibits and advance the museum s mission.
The American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation announced that it signed the three-year deal with the DOE on Thursday. The foundation will manage the K-25 History Center, fundraising, collections management and develop other partnerships as part of the agreement as well as manage AMSE.
Council chooses architect for conference center
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The Oak Ridge City Council recently and unanimously approved an agreement with an architectural firm of up to $185,000 to design and renovate a conference center in the space next to the American Museum of Science and Energy.
A memo from Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson stated the funding will come from the state of Tennessee rather than city tax funds, and Council will need to vote on any expenses above $185,000.
The memo states the conference center is planned for the 13,500 square feet pf currently empty space in between the American Museum of Science and Energy and JCPenney. It would also be close to TownePlace Suites by Mariott Knoxville Oak Ridge.
Zoom presentation on future of AMSE
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The Friends of Oak Ridge National Lab lecture for Tuesday, Jan. 12, will be “American Museum of Science and Energy: Plans, Visions, and Potential Opening.”
It will be a review of where AMSE is headed in this new year with exhibits, programs, educational initiatives and management.
Alan C. Lowe obtained his B.A. (1986) and M.A. (1988) in history at the University of Kentucky. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and received the Robert Lunde Award from Phi Alpha Theta. In 1986, he was awarded a scholarship by the English-Speaking Union to attend international graduate summer school at Oxford University.
Dealing with growing student populations
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As builders construct new houses and families move into Oak Ridge, the city s elected officials continue to talk about how the city’s school system should react.
Options discussed have included redistricting, repurposing space inside school buildings, or even constructing a new school.
“We’ve worked and worked and worked in order to get new housing and the community growth,” Board of Education Member Ben Stephens said recently. However, he said, the city now has to look at how to deal with this growth long-term.
“Let’s not start passing out a box of Band-Aids,” he said regarding short-term solutions compared to long-term ones.
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Christine Michaels, Oak Ridge’s new Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, sees a lot of good things in her new town.
In a recent Zoom conference with other Chamber members, Michaels said she had a “a whirlwind of a first few weeks” as president and CEO, adding she was “really impressed by everything that I’ve seen.”
Michaels also talked, generally, about how she sees her role leading the Chamber. She said the Chamber’s role is to serve its members.
“A Chamber is a membership organization,” she said, adding later in her talk that she was interested in getting members’ ideas.