KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (KT) – Educators in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) seven-state region, which includes a good part of Kentucky, may apply for up to $5,000 in funding for STEM learning projects in classrooms and schools, now through Sept. 15.
TVA will provide $1.5 million in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. (BVI), a TVA retiree organization.
““Every student should get the chance to explore big ideas with real world tools,” said interim TVA President and CEO Mike Skaggs. “When we invest in the curiosity of young people today, we’re helping build the strong communities and bright futures our region depends on.”
The competitive STEM classroom award program is operated in partnership with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network that is managed by the Battelle organization. The program received 528 grant applications last year with 339 selected for funding. Since 2018, TVA/BVI has provided $9.5 million in STEM awards supporting over 845,000 students.
“It’s funded 3D printers, hydroponic towers, and it’s helped us refresh our garden. One year we purchased microscopic digital viewers for students,” said Jennifer Kennedy, a STEM specialist at Cowart Elementary School in Athens, Alabama. The school has received multiple awards during the program’s history.
“They are so excited, especially with the 3D printers,” Kennedy added. “They see all the videos on YouTube, and they want to be producers as well.”
Teachers can apply at tva.com/learn/stem-awards for up to $5,000 to fund STEM projects with preference given to applications that explore TVA’s primary areas of focus: energy, environment stewardship, economic and career development, and community problem-solving.
“These awards fund hands-on projects in science, technology, engineering and math, building the teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills students will carry into any career,” said Adam Wolcott, BVI Director of Operations. “When we invest in a teacher's vision today, we're helping build the workforce our region will depend on tomorrow.”
Eligible applicants are teachers or school administrators in public or private schools, grades K-12. Schools must be in the TVA service area and receive electricity from a local power distributor served by TVA.
The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to 10 million people in seven states. That includes 39 Kentucky counties as well as all or parts of Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia.
