Andreas teen participates in summer STEM institute

Katryna Williams, daughter of Beth Chickilly of Andreas, was one of 36 high school students attending the 30th annual High School Summer Math-Science-Technology Institute in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The high school students joined teachers selected from across 10 Appalachian states to spend two weeks, July 6-19, fully engaged in math, science, engineering and technology, including learning experiences at one of the country’s leading national laboratories.

The Appalachian Regional Commission, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and ORAU hosted the exceptional learning experience. Gov. Tom Wolf nominated Williams, a student at Tamaqua Area High School, to attend this accelerated learning program. She was selected based on her potential to excel in math and science and to continue in higher learning.

Since 2000, the program has provided this opportunity to a total of 720 students and 299 teachers.

Students and teachers participated in research projects led by ORNL scientists and mentors. Williams and teammates investigated supercomputers, robotics systems or engineering development. The teachers focused on chemical sciences, neutron sciences, molecular biophysics and cytogenetic biodosimetry. Students and teachers were given the opportunity to ask questions during discovery sessions at the national laboratory, in addition to spending the two week experience networking with scientists and mentors.