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Alcoa middle schoolers win $10,000 for AI club project — The Friday Flicker #4 | Tennessee Firefly
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The Friday Flicker · Issue #4

Alcoa middle schoolers win $10,000 for AI club project

Saturday, June 13, 2026 · Sent to 3,136 subscribers

Alcoa Intermediate School AI Club Wins $10,000 National Award
Alcoa Intermediate School AI Club Wins $10,000 National Award

Good evening.

This week, we take a closer look at an East Tennessee school's AI club winning a $10,000 prize in a national competition.

We also published stories about discipline trends in Nashville, a state lawmaker's pitch to pull back on classroom technology, and a music festival writing a six-figure check for school mental health services in Coffee County.

The Lead

Alcoa Intermediate School AI Club Wins $10,000 National Award

By Jacob Holley

East Tennessee fourth and fifth-graders created an app concept to help students with their homework.

Read the full story →

Also in this issue

  • Bonnaroo Donates $100,000 to Student Mental Health Services Program

    The donation will support mental health assessments, group interventions, and psychoeducation.

    Jacob Holley

  • Fewer Metro Nashville Students Pulled from Class for Discipline

    A district expert claims the improvements come from an overhaul in disciplinary philosophy.

    Jacob Holley

  • State Building Commission Approves Major UT Projects

    The approval clears the way for a nuclear research facility and an entertainment complex.

    Jacob Holley

  • Rep. Cepicky Calls for Renewed Emphasis on a Traditional Classroom

    The Culleoka lawmaker plans to propose more reliance on teacher-led instruction and less use of electronics.

    Sky Arnold

  • On the Fly: ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland Discusses Potential Changes to Higher Education Funding, On The Fly Podcast

    Next month, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission is expected to approve changes to a funding policy for institutions of higher learning called the...

That's all for this week. Next week, look for an article detailing the Tennessee Higher Education Commission's change recommendations for the Workforce Investment Premium. Thanks for reading.

The Friday Flicker

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