TVA Awards LCSS $50,000 for STEM

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ― The Tennessee Valley Authority, in partnership with

Bicentennial Volunteers Inc., a TVA retiree organization, is awarding $1 million in grants to

educators in public schools to develop science, technology, engineering, and math

education projects across the Tennessee Valley.

“TVA is focused on supporting clean-energy technologies and STEM education

that helps today’s students develop the skills needed to work in these careers,” said

Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer.

“Innovation is the key to success, and it’s inspiring to contribute to the next generation’s

visionaries."

The competitive STEM classroom grant program is operated in partnership with the

Tennessee STEM Innovation Network managed by the Battelle organization. The program

received 458 grant applications this year, and 238 were selected for funding. This year,

the program will support about 136,000 students across seven states with hands-on STEM

activities.

“The Tennessee STEM Innovation Network is honored to partner with TVA in this

exciting grant program to further STEM education endeavors across the state,” said

Gretchen Brown, operations director. “This opportunity can make the difference for

educators and students as they incorporate 21 st -century skills and real-world problem-

solving. It is a privilege to work with this partnership year after year and continue to serve

the incredible educators of the Tennessee Valley.”

Grants are awarded in urban and rural areas to meet the diverse needs of local

communities. For example, in Lawrenceburg, TN, served by Lawrenceburg Utility Systems, David Crockett, Lawrenceburg Public, and South Lawrence Elementary will expand student experiences through virtual reality. While Summertown Elementary added solar to their new outdoor classroom for enhanced learning. Loretto and Summertown High Schools created projects to expand their AgriSTEM programs. At Lawrence County High School, Sandy Wheeley is adding a Glow Forge laser cutter thanks to TVA. Through these grants, EO Coffman Middle School and Leoma Elementary project are bringing 21st Century skills to their students with cad through 3D scanning and printing that will allow students to better understand the interconnection between science and math and learn about engineering and architecture careers.

Grants up to $5,000 were awarded in a competitive process, and preference was

given to grant applications that explored TVA’s primary areas of focus: environment,

energy, economic development, and community problem-solving. Any school that receives

their power from a local power company served by TVA was eligible to apply.

Since 2018, TVA/BVI has provided nearly $5 million in STEM grants supporting

nearly 600,000 students.

“Supporting education and ensuring students have a solid STEM background is

critical to our children’s future no matter what career path they take,” said TVA Public and

Community Engagement Program Manager Trina Gallman. “I am proud of the

partnerships we have built to help these educators inspire their students through the

STEM activities this program will provide.”

A full list of the grant recipients can be found at 2022-2023 Grant Recipients

(tva.com). For more information, visit www.tvastem.com.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that

provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10

million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding,

deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and

investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and

land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and

state and local governments with economic development and job creation.