HONESDALE, PA — Wayne Highlands student Desmond Jennings of Honesdale was one of the 52 middle school students chosen to participate in the Appalachian STEM Academy.

During the one-week summer program, students collaborated in small teams with scientists from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN, and other STEM experts to solve real-world problems in Appalachian communities through technology.

The program is sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The program’s main goal is to inspire, through mentorship, a passion for science, technology, engineering and math, and to lay a strong foundation for a future career in STEM. 

The program is fully funded and open to both high school students and high school teachers. Its activities promote teamwork, college-level work, and an appreciation for the Appalachian region’s cultural richness and historical significance

The students were hosted by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), a nonprofit corporation that works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to serve the public interest.