October 23, 2009

Aiken, S.C. – Savannah River Remediation (SRR), the liquid waste contractor at the Savannah River Site, announced today that 15 area schools have been awarded educational grants totaling $15,000 to recognize and support excellence in teaching.

The grants are awarded directly to area elementary schools to provide funding for innovative approaches to teaching science and mathematics.

“We have schools doing outstanding and exciting things in their classrooms, but many times they are limited in their ability to reach students by a lack of materials and supplies. These grants help teachers provide creative and innovative experiences for their students,” said Jim French, SRR President and Project Manager.

He continued, “As a technology-based company, SRR has a history of supporting education. For the past couple of decades, fewer students have been pursuing math- and science-related careers. If we are to remain competitive, both as a company and a country, we must reverse that trend. Helping teachers excite students about math and science is one way of doing that.”

A team of SRR employees reviewed the grant proposals submitted this year and selected 15 schools to receive a total of $15,000 in funding.

Among this year’s winning proposals is a project that would combine classroom work with experiential exercises in using simple robot programming software. Another project would teach first grade students the use of mathematical concepts such as money, time, and measurement and their use in everyday life. Another winning project would enhance the learning of gifted third, fourth and fifth graders by using geometric and algebraic equations in real-life situations.

The winners will be honored at a reception Oct. 29, 2009.

This year’s grant winners are:
Patricia Hampton, Rivelon Elementary School, Orangeburg, SC
Denise Broome, Redcliffe Elementary School, Aiken, SC
Rena McDonald, Elloree Elementary School, Elloree, SC
April Smith and Bonnie Simmons, Barnwell Primary School, Barnwell, SC
Jan Boulineau, Hammond Hill Elementary School, North Augusta, SC
Dana Singletary, Holly Hill Elementary School, Holly Hill, SC
Mathya Green, Vance-Providence Elementary School, Vance, SC
Christina Snider, Macedonia Elementary School, Blackville, SC
Wanda Wates, W.E. Parker Elementary School, Edgefield, SC
Willa Mikell, Allendale Elementary School, Allendale, SC
Christi McWaters, East Aiken Elementary School, Aiken, SC
Michael Truitt, Cyril B. Busbee Elementary School, Wagener, SC
A. Denise Dickey, Clearwater Elementary School, Clearwater, SC
Alicia Bennett, Lindsey Quarles and Sarah McKinnon, Mossy Creek Elementary School, North Augusta, SC
Theresa Spieker, North Augusta Elementary School, North Augusta, SC

SRS is owned by DOE. The SRS Liquid Waste contract is managed by SRR, a team of companies lead by URS Corp. with partners Bechtel National, CH2M Hill and Babcock & Wilcox. Critical subcontractors for the contract are AREVA, Energy Solutions and Washington Safety Management Solutions.