McCreary County School District congratulates Thatcher Daugherty. Thatcher is the son of Tim and Hope Daugherty, and he just finished his seventh grade year at McCreary County Middle School. Thatcher is the only student from McCreary County to be accepted to the Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Appalachian STEM academy is a residential, hands-on learning experience for Appalachia’s middle and high school students. This program is a gateway to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the Appalachian Region. This year’s academy will take place July 9-21, 2023. All participants work with award-winning scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, one of the largest U.S. Department of Energy research facilities in the United States. High school and middle school students conduct guided group science, math, and computer science technology research projects, while high school teachers work with science practitioners to develop STEM-related curriculum. The program culminates in a graduation ceremony where participants showcase their work.
