Bricks2BeamsTN

Fostering curiosity and passion for STEM

Connecting Students with Careers in East Tennessee

Brick2BeamsTN provides interactive, hands-on experiences that help students explore the wide range of careers and career pathways available in East Tennessee.

We work with educators, schools, and local businesses to introduce students to STEM careers through engaging activities, real-world examples, and interactive learning experiences.

Educators

Would you like us to bring a program to your school?

We would love to work with you! Please complete our Interest Form.

Businesses & Industry Partners

Would you like to help students learn about careers at your organization and support workforce development?

We are interested in partnering with businesses and organizations to showcase their facilities, technologies, and career opportunities.

We can work with your organization to customize educational programs, including:

Hands-on classroom activities
Models using LEGO® bricks based on your facilities, equipment, or processes
Career-focused lesson plans
Interactive demonstrations
Programs that introduce students to the skills and careers available in your industry

Together, we can give students an opportunity to see how the things they learn in the classroom connect to real-world careers in East Tennessee.

Contact Us

For inquiries, comments, suggestions, or partnership opportunities, please contact:

Robert Saethre
rsaethre@bricks2beamstn.org

Bricks to Beams Tennessee
bricks2beamstn@gmail.com

Photos Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

The mission of the B2BTN is to inspire the next generation of innovators by fostering curiosity and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Through interactive learning experiences, including the design and construction of models of particle accelerators, the program seeks to engage and empower middle school students to explore the exciting world of cutting-edge STEM using particle accelerators and and other technologies.

Our vision of a program for fostering curiosity and passion for STEM will be accomplished by developing programs and curriculum for 6th through 8th grade students and giving them a path towards rewarding careers.

Oliver Spings Academy 6th and 8th Grade September 2026 event

Photos Credit: Hannah Robbins, Roane County Schools

Donate

If you are a member of Thrivent®, you can donate through Thrivent Choice® and they will pay all transaction fees.

@Thrivent clients: Remember to direct Choice Dollars® before March 31 to support our organization. Visit thrivent.com/thriventchoice.

Chad Helland, Stauffer Randa, Rob Saethre. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Using LEGO® bricks, ORNL intern Stauffer Randa, middle, and his mentor, Chad Helland, left, work to create a model of the ring injection region of the SNS’ pulsed accelerator that features the new Proton Power Upgrade magnets and vacuum chambers. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Using LEGO® bricks, Robert Saethre has worked to create a model of the ring injection region of the SNS pulsed accelerator that features the new Proton Power Upgrade magnets and vacuum chambers. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Model of the ring RF region of the SNS pulsed accelerator.

Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Bricklink Studio® rendered image of the SNS Accumulator Ring.

March 10, 2026

February 16, 2026

See our displays at the American Museum of Science and Energy and at the K-25 History Center

February 7, 2026

SNS extraction region using LEGO® bricks displayed at the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge Championship at Tennessee Tech University, Memorial Gym Cookeville, Tennessee

January 17, 2026

SNS extraction region using LEGO® bricks displayed at 7th Annual Atomic City Invitational on January 17, 2026 at Jefferson Middle School, 200 Fairbanks Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

October 7, 2025

ORCS Girls Build the SNS using LEGO® bricks

Twenty-seven 5th through 10th grade students visited the spallation Neutron Source (SNS) for a day of learning about the SNS by building a scale version in LEGO® bricks.

September 29, 2025

West High School in Knoxville

Robert presented to freshman students at West High School in Knoxville. The presentation was an overview of careers in East Tennessee and at the the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and included two of our activity kits (Resistors and Circuits).

September 17, 2025 -

ORNL K-12 Outreach at Mainstreet

We setup a table with the SNS Injection Region model built from LEGO® bricks providing opportunities for staff to learn about our programs. There were many great questions and interest in helping us in the future.

June 26, 2025

ORAU ORAU Professional Development program

ORAU Professional Development program connects particle accelerators and LEGO® building to advance STEM education

April 29 - May 6, 2025

Building Science with LEGO® at Robertsville Middle School

Our first outreach event took place at Robertsville Middle School (RMS) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee — and it was a huge success!

Partnering with 8th-grade science teachers Dr. Amy Lyttle and Ms. Mazzie Zawisza, we brought science, engineering, and creativity together through a week-long, hands-on LEGO® project inspired by real-world research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

We provided everything needed to make the experience seamless — lesson plans, LEGO® bricks and instructions, spare parts, and staff support — helping students dive into a world of discovery and design.