CIA Mission Possible – Classroom Transformation offers Baltimore/D.C./Richmond teachers $25,000 in classroom technology upgrades Application deadline is July 9, 2021

June 16, 2021

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—Teachers, what would you do with $25,000 to upgrade the technology in your classroom? The CIA Mission Possible-Classroom Transformation competition hopes to answer that question for you.

The mission of CIA Mission Possible-Classroom Transformation is to improve science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education in public schools. The competition will award one STEAM teacher each in Baltimore, Md., Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Va., with $25,000 in new equipment to update their classroom with the latest technology. Runners-up in each city will receive $5,000 in new equipment.

Interested teachers need to act fast! The deadline to apply is Friday, July 9, 2021. Winners will be notified by the end of July and the technology will be purchased and installed in their classrooms for the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

CIA Mission Possible-Classroom Transformation is made possible through a sponsorship from the Central Intelligence Agency, and is managed by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).

“Most children today are digital natives, seemingly born with smartphones or tablets in hand,” said Jennifer Tyrell, senior project manager for ORISE K-12 STEM education programs. “Still, some schools do not have the budgets to keep pace with changing technology. Having $25,000 worth of interactive technology would give a boost to any student trying to learn STEAM in today’s world!”

To be eligible for the competition, teachers must: 

• Teach a STEAM subject for 3rd through 10th
• Work for a public school in Baltimore, Md., Washington, D.C., or Richmond, Va.
• Submit a three-to-four-minute video creatively illustrating the need and possible uses of technology in their classroom.
• Additional information, including the application and video submission portal can be found here: https://orise.orau.gov/cia-mission-possible/.
• Deadline to apply is Friday, July 9, 2021.

A panel of educators and ORISE staff will determine the wining classroom for each city. Entries will be judged on how well they:

• Demonstrate or explain the need for technology.
• Demonstrate or explain the possible use of technology.
• Demonstrate overall creativity in the entry.
• Provide an explanation of the teaching philosophy and/or approach that will be used to expand the STEAM learning experience and encourage students to pursue careers in STEAM fields.

For questions about CIA Mission Possible-Classroom Transformation, contact program staff at MissionPossible@orau.org.