TVA awards $1.5 million in STEM awards to schools

The Tennessee Valley Authority and Bicentennial Volunteers Inc. have partnered once again to award $1.5 million in STEM grant awards to 339 schools across the power provider’s service region.

The TVA and Bicentennial Volunteers Inc., a TVA retiree organization, annually partner to award grants to educators creating science, technology, engineering and math education projects for their students. Since 2018, the organizations have awarded over $9 million in STEM grants.

TVA CEO Don Moul says STEM education is critical to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to pursue high-wage careers and support local economies. He also says today’s students will be the next generation who will work to ensure communities have reliable power.

TVA Spokesperson Adam May says there is a shortage of STEM workers across the country and by supporting educators he hopes young folks are inspired to pursue STEM careers.

In Western Kentucky, 21 schools received grants including three in Christian County. Gateway Academy was awarded $5,000 which will support an autonomous farming tractor lab. Students will work in teams to assemble autonomous vehicles that will navigate challenges similar to agricultural tasks such as planting, mapping and field monitoring.

South Christian Elementary School was awarded $5,000 which will support a 3D printed animal habitat project. For the project, students will learn about an animal and design its habitats with a 3D printer.

Lastly, Millbrooke Elementary School received $5,000 which will go toward the school’s STEM Gardening Center. The garden is used to plant vegetables and will also be the backbone of a project where students will design a plan to create a garden of fast-growing and affordable vegetables.