When a teacher at DeKalb County High School contacted the College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech University to ask if they could contribute door prizes for a STEM focus day at the high school, it was an easy answer for Tech.

“We are always happy to help our area schools encourage students to learn more about engineering and the sciences,” said Harry Ingle, director of the Clay N. Hixson Student Success Center at Tech. “It is important to start with our youth now to cultivate bright, innovative minds for the future.”

Ingle helped Amy Fricks, a math teacher at DCHS and alumna of the College of Engineering at Tech, pick out draw string bags for each participating student. They also gave back packs and t-shirts for door prizes, and put together small gift bags as a token of thanks for the teachers who are involved in planning and facilitating the event.

“It is so important to expose young students to STEM disciplines early,” said Fricks. “There is not a lot of opportunity in this area outside of the schools for STEM learning. Manufacturing is a big provider of jobs in Dekalb County, so it is important for our students to start gaining the necessary skills to take on leadership roles in manufacturing-related STEM professions. Another goal of this event is to introduce elementary and middle school students to the career and technical education (CTE) programs offered at the high school. We want them to start thinking about their career options now, so that they are prepared to be as successful as possible when they enter our CTE programs.”

“DCHS is excited to partner with Tennessee Tech to offer such an exciting event,” said DCHS Principal Randy Jennings. “This is an opportunity for the students of DeKalb Co. to be introduced to STEM disciplines, while at the same time having fun with hands on activities. I would especially like to thank Ms. Fricks for her hard work in organizing this event.”

The College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech offers ABET-accredited undergraduate programs in engineering technology, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science. In addition, it offers bachelor degrees in basic science and engineering (BSE) jointly with East Tennessee State University. At the graduate level, Tech offers both master’s degrees and a doctorate in engineering. Founded in 1915, Tech offers more than 40 bachelor and 20 graduate programs to almost 11,000 students on its 252-acre central campus in Cookeville, Tennessee.

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce and the DeKalb County Mayor’s office would like to invite residents across the county to participate in the DeKalb County Clean Up on Saturday, May 5th. The DeKalb Clean Up event will be held in conjunction with the Keep America Beautiful initiative going on across the country.

County Mayor Tim Stribling says, “We invite people to come out and help clean up around our communities and highways. Folks are welcome to pick up litter at places of their choice, or we will be glad to assign a safe place for you.”

Suzanne Williams, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, would like to remind everyone that DeKalb County’s peak tourism season is about to begin, so now is a great time to start getting things spruced up for our coming visitors. According to Williams, “I think we are all aware of the value and importance of beautification in our communities to attract newcomers and tourists to our area and to maintain a stable and growing economy.”

To get a head start on clean up, dumpsters will be set up at highly visible and convenient locations a few days prior to the main event. Dumpster locations will be at the Dowelltown Community Center, Liberty Community Center, Alexandria City Parking Lot (behind square), and the County Complex parking lot.

DeKalb Clean Up volunteers are asked to stop by the DeKalb County Complex on May 5th between 9 AM and 10 AM to sign-in and pick up the provided trash bags, rubber gloves, and bottles of water. We will be taking a group picture at 9:30 AM for the media if you like to participate in that.

For early sign-up, you can stop by the Chamber, located in the Courthouse, Room 201, anytime during regular office hours by May 4th to pick up supplies. Or if stopping by is not convenient, call the Chamber office at 615-597-4163 to be counted as a DeKalb Clean Up volunteer — just give your name and the general area where you will be working. Whether you’re beautifying your street, a highway, a park, ball field, a stream, or your own home, what a difference we can make through working together to make our communities safer, healthier and more livable!