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A weekly email from the Appalachian Regional Commission
In the Region: A weekly snapshot of news, announcements, and other tidbits from the Appalachian Regional Commission
ARC NEWS ROUNDUP  |  JULY 27, 2017

ARC SPOTLIGHT

Students at ARC/ORNL Math-Science-Technology Institute conduct an experiment.
Photo Source: ORAU Facebook Page

Summer of STEM Education


A group of 32 high school students, 26 middle school students, and 16 teachers from the Appalachian Region spent two weeks of their summer break getting hands-on STEM education at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) during the 28th annual High School Summer Math-Science-Technology Institute and Middle School Summer Science Academy. The programs were sponsored by ARC, ORNL, and ORAU. Participants were selected by ARC and their state’s governor’s office, with preference given to exceptional students with the potential to be first from their family to attend college; students with interest in but limited access to STEM education and resources; and/or students from ARC-designated economic distressed counties. Since 2000, the programs have provided a total of 626 students and 267 teachers with in-lab learning experiences at one of the nation’s premier national laboratories.
 
During their time at ORNL, students and teachers participated in research projects led by mentors and scientists. The teachers’ research teams focused on chemical sciences, neutron sciences, molecular biophysics and cytogenetic biodosimetry. The students’ projects dealt with supercomputers, thermochromic windows, biochemical pathways, robotics systems and engineering development and high-altitude ballooning. ARC’s Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl said, “Every summer, the ARC/ORNL summer programs help Appalachia’s students and teachers find their passion for science and technology. This knowledge puts these students and teachers on a path to success for themselves and for the Region.” Read more about the 2017 programs here.

INVESTMENTS IN ACTION

Local Foods, Local Places in Appalachia

Appalachian communities were well-represented at the Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP) Summit and Peer Exchange in Washington, D.C., this week. The Summit provided an opportunity for LFLP communities to celebrate their successes and learn about new ideas and resources with other participants from across the country. For the past three years ARC has partnered with the EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities and other federal agencies on LFLP initiatives to provide technical assistance and strategic planning support to 34 Appalachian communities to build and strengthen their local food systems. This partnership builds on the Livable Communities in Appalachia Partnership, which worked to promote economic development, preserve rural lands, and increase access to locally grown food in Appalachian towns and rural communities. In total, ARC has provided over half a million dollars to further local economic development efforts around local foods and place-making in Appalachian LFLP communities and Livable Communities.
 
Corbin, Kentucky, and Huntington and Williamson, West Virginia, were three communities highlighted by the EPA at the Summit for their progress in meeting the LFLP goals to boost economic opportunities for local farmers and businesses; improve access to healthy local food, particularly among disadvantaged groups with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables; and revitalize downtowns, main street districts, and traditional neighborhoods by supporting farmers’ markets, food hubs, community gardens, shared-use kitchens; and by providing people with affordable choices for accessing those amenities, such as walking, biking, or taking transit.

APPALACHIA IN THE NEWS

Groups See ATV Trails As Anchor To Economy, The Herald-Dispatch, Huntington, West Virginia
 
Schumer Pledges Barley Help During Visit, The Daily Star, Oneonta, New York
 
Road Network In Appalachia Has Created Billions In Benefits, Study Says, Lexington Herald-Leader, Lexington, Kentucky
 
$2M Revitalization Project In Nelsonville Taking Shape, The Logan Daily News, Logan, Ohio
 
Input From Clemson Researchers Instrumental In Funding Of Doodle Trail Park, The Newsstand, Clemson, South Carolina
 
Local Student Selected For Accelerated Learning Program, Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama

UPCOMING EVENTS

SOAR Summit
Pikeville, Kentucky
August 3–4

2017 West Virginia Brownfields Conference
and Central Appalachian Regional Brownfields Summit

Morgantown, West Virginia
September 12–14


An ARC Conference Hosted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Transforming Appalachia: Embracing Change to Drive Progress

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
October 17–19

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Tourism in Appalachia: Trends and Strategies
ARC invites proposals from qualified researchers and consultants to examine the tourism industry in Appalachia through in-depth quantitative and qualitative analysis. Specifically, the research will document, analyze, and map data on industry trends and activity, with particular focus given to subsectors and issues relevant to the Region. Proposals are due August 17, 2017
Map of the Appalachian Region

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
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Appalachian Regional Commission
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