From Nuclear Energy to Generative AI: How Oak Ridge High School Redefines CTE Education

Courtesy of Roane State

Ranked by Niche as the third-best school district in Tennessee, Oak Ridge Schools has long been synonymous with academic excellence and innovation.

From its origins serving the families of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to its modern-day initiatives, the district has continually embraced forward-thinking strategies to prepare students for success in an evolving global economy.

Excellence in Education

“What sets Oak Ridge Schools apart is its commitment to continuous improvement and the culture of high expectations. Educators work collaboratively to analyze data, refine instruction and ensure every student has access to meaningful learning experiences,” says Molly Gallagher Smith, chief communications officer for Oak Ridge Schools.

The district actively engages students, families and community partners to shape future-ready programs. According to Gallagher Smith, balancing tradition, innovation and community involvement ensures Oak Ridge graduates are academically prepared and equipped with the confidence to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

That balance of innovation and community engagement led to the creation of the Nuclear Energy and Innovations CTE pathway. Students enrolled in the program take classes in theoretical sciences and applied methodologies.

These classes explore various forms of renewable and clean energy, such as wind, solar, hydropower and nuclear, and teach students how these technologies work, their benefits and their role in the global energy mix. Students also take classes in business and marketing and can take dual enrollment courses through Roane State Community College to earn college credits. The district also offers CTE programs in high-demand areas, including aviation, communications, IT, and design/engineering and advanced manufacturing.

CTE directors are tasked to meet with local advisory boards consisting of stakeholders including postsecondary partners, industry leaders, parents and students.

“They the most in-demand, high-wage and high-skill occupations, and align our programs to those metrics,” says Holly Cross, CTE director for Oak Ridge Schools.

Future-Ready Foundations

An example is Oak Ridge High School’s Wildcat Manufacturing – part of the Design/Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing CTE program – designed to prepare students for high-skill careers in various engineering fields, product design, smart manufacturing, engineering technology, robotics, industrial automation and entrepreneurship.

Students apply engineering principles to design, fabricate and produce real products using professional workflows aligned to state standards and emerging industry needs, Cross says

“Instruction emphasizes hands-on learning, team-based problem solving, lean/agile manufacturing principles and workplace professionalism, culminating in real-word, work-based learning experience,” she says.

UT-Battelle donated $225,000 to purchase manufacturing equipment, which will be used to support a student-run community project using Generative AI, advanced manufacturing and the software used to power the award-winning MedUSA wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) system from ORNL.

Driving Innovation

Gallagher Smith says Oak Ridge Schools collaborates closely with local businesses, higher education institutions and organizations such as UT-Battelle and ORNL, to provide students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences that connect classroom learning to future careers.

Oak Ridge Schools

Students gain hands-on experience and graduation credit through local industry immersion, often receiving pay for their contributions. These authentic workplace environments allow them to apply classroom concepts while developing essential professional skills, Gallagher Smith says.

The district’s iSchool program integrates technology and personalized learning by creating an environment in which students can explore both theoretical concepts and practical applications at the same time.

“Through technology-rich instruction and flexible learning pathways, students are able to engage with content in ways that align with their interests, strengths and career goals,” Gallagher Smith says.

In the coming months, the school system will break ground on a new Innovation Center at the Oak Ridge High School. The planned building would feature more than 9,000 square feet of high bay lab space, mini workshop collaboration spaces, classrooms and conference rooms.

“Through this project, the district would reimagine the way we deliver educational opportunities in a space that would allow us to scale the innovative work happening in Wildcat Manufacturing, serve more students and create opportunities for collaboration and cross-curricular studies with core subject areas, ensuring our schools remain cutting edge and our students are competitive in securing high-wage and high-demand jobs,” Gallagher Smith says.

School program opens the skies for future pilots

Oak Ridge Schools is opening doors for future pilots through its partnership with the AVZ Flight Academy, the only FAA Part 141 flight school in the region. The aviation program at Oak Ridge High School (ORHS) works with AVZ to offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to cover various aspects of aviation, including aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology and drone technology.

For Andrew Rodabaugh, a student pilot and ORHS graduate, the program has been nothing short of transformative.

Ground lessons at the school ignited his passion for flight, and the AVZ program provided him with the resources to pursue his dreams. Thanks to a state grant, he began training at just 15 years old, bypassing the typical cost of earning a private license.

Oak Ridge Schools

“To be fully honest, I would not have been able to train and get my license from AVZ without Oak Ridge High School. My guidance counselor recommended it to me, and I found my passion for flight through the ground lessons at the high school. The program at AVZ has allowed me to pursue this newfound love for aviation and gain experience in the air,” Rodabaugh says.

One of Rodabaugh’s most memorable experiences came just after earning his license.

“I booked a reservation to fly with my mom and brother the day after my ‘check ride.’ It was the first time I had flown a passenger on my own, and it was so special to share all my hard work with my family,” he says. “It was rewarding to share all of the hard work that I had done to get my license and involve my family in something I had put so much effort in.”

With the AVZ Flight Academy as his launchpad, Rodabaugh is setting his sights on a career as an airline pilot. The program has given him a head start, providing the skills and experience to prepare for a high-paying, high-demand job.

“I decided a couple years ago that my end goal was to be an airline pilot. It is a stable job that pays well and is always hiring,” he says. “The fact that I was able to get this before college is a big deal and will allow me to accelerate my training and get into the airlines faster.”