NASHVILLE, Tenn. – During its Annual Convention, the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) presented the 2024 Award for Excellence in Education Award to Oak Ridge High School’s “Wildcat Manufacturing” Program. The statewide award is presented annually to a Board of Education that has an innovative and successful program operating within its district, and this is the second time Oak Ridge Schools has earned the award in five years.
Wildcat Manufacturing is a year-long capstone course that functions as a student-run Work-Based Learning (WBL) small business offering advanced design, manufacturing, and automation services for local businesses, organizations, and individuals. Students undergo interviews to become “employees” of Wildcat Manufacturing and oversee all aspects of the business including customer discovery, ideation, product design, cost estimation, planning, project management, manufacturing, delivery and billing while earning college credit as a Dual Enrollment course with Roane State.
“The Wildcat Manufacturing course is a testament to the vision of Dr. Mark Buckner, iSchool Founder and teacher of Wildcat Manufacturing, and Dr. Holly Cross, College Career and Technical Education (CCTE) Supervisor,” said Dr. Bruce Borchers, Superintendent of Oak Ridge Schools. “Together they are committed to doing what’s best for student and preparing them to be successful in their post-secondary lives. Dr. Buckner is a visionary with a passion for educating students, and Dr. Cross has written and received countless grants to bring the program to life. This is a first-class program, and I’m proud to have them recognized for their efforts in this way.”
Led by a retired nuclear physicist with over 30 years of applied research and development experience at the Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), the machines used in Dr. Buckner’s class are a far cry from the shop classes of the past. Instead, students are learning high-precision machining, advanced manufacturing, and automation through hands-on experience with cutting edge, best-in-class equipment including 5-axis and 3-axis CNC mills, a CNC lathe, multiple industrial 3D printers, and WaterJet, CO2 and Fiber lasers.
In 2022, during the program’s first year, Wildcat Manufacturing contracted with a single company and produced $330 revenue. Over the next two years, Wildcat Manufacturing students have executed 26 contracts with 18 companies across the community, generating a staggering $37,200 in revenue, with more companies and community organizations seeking out their services every week.
About Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA)
A statewide, nonprofit organization, the Tennessee School Boards Association is a federation of all the state’s school boards. TSBA’s mission is to assist school boards in effectively governing school districts. Through the years, TSBA has helped school boards and their members reach their highest potential through Association programs, meetings and services. TSBA also provides school board members a collective voice in matters of legislation and public education concerns. For more information about TSBA, visit our website at: www.tsba.net.
A statewide, nonprofit organization, the Tennessee School Boards Association is a federation of all the state’s school boards. TSBA’s mission is to assist school boards in effectively governing school districts. Through the years, TSBA has helped school boards and their members reach their highest potential through Association programs, meetings and services. TSBA also provides school board members a collective voice in matters of legislation and public education concerns. For more information about TSBA, visit our website at: www.tsba.net.
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