Oak Ridge facts for kids

Oak Ridge is a name you'll find in many places, especially in countries where English is spoken. The most famous one is Oak Ridge, Tennessee in the United States. This city is well-known because of its important role in the Manhattan Project during World War II.

What is Oak Ridge?

Oak Ridge is a name given to many different places. It often refers to a community or a town. Sometimes, it can also be a natural feature, like a ridge covered in oak trees.

Famous Places Called Oak Ridge

While there are many places named Oak Ridge, a few stand out:

• Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA: This city is very famous for its scientific history. It was a secret site during World War II.
• Oakridge, Oregon, USA: This town is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and outdoor activities.
• Oakridge, Vancouver, Canada: This is a busy neighborhood in a major Canadian city.

Science and History in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

The city of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, has a fascinating history, especially in science.

The Manhattan Project

During World War II, the United States started a top-secret project called the Manhattan Project. Its goal was to build the first atomic bomb. Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was chosen as one of the main sites for this project.

• Secret City: Oak Ridge was built almost overnight in the 1940s. Thousands of people moved there to work on the project, but they often didn't know exactly what they were building. It was a highly secret city.
• K-25 Plant: One of the biggest buildings in the world at the time was the K-25 plant in Oak Ridge. This huge factory was used to enrich uranium. Enriching uranium means making it more powerful for use in atomic weapons.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

After the war, the scientific work in Oak Ridge continued. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) was created. It is one of the largest science and technology labs in the United States.

• Research Today: Scientists at ORNL work on many important things. They study energy, advanced materials, and supercomputing. For example, an early computer called ORACLE was built there.
• Education and Science: The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education is also located here. It helps students and scientists learn more about science and technology.

Education and Learning

Oak Ridge is also a name found in education. Several schools and universities use this name.

• Oak Ridge Associated Universities: This is a group of universities that work together on research and education. It is based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
• Oak Ridge Military Academy: This is a special school in North Carolina, USA, that helps students prepare for college and military careers.
• Oakridge Secondary School: This is a high school located in London, Ontario, Canada.

Other Interesting Uses

The name Oak Ridge also appears in other areas.

• The Oak Ridge Boys: This is a very famous American country music band. They have been making music for many years.
• USS Oak Ridge (ARDM-1): This was a special ship used by the U.S. Navy during World War II. It was a floating dry dock, which means it could repair other ships while at sea.

See also

• In Spanish: Oak Ridge para niños