TVA hands out $1.5 million in STEM grants to area schools

The Tennessee Valley Authority is again supporting STEM education in area schools.

TVA's STEM grants are given in conjunction with Bicentennial Volunteers Incorporated, which is an organization of retirees from TVA. The two groups are giving a record $1.5 million to public school teachers to develop STEM projects.

Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president, and chief external relations officer, said, “TVA is committed to supporting schools and educators who are inspiring an interest in STEM education in students across our seven-state region, as we know our young people will design and build the energy systems of the future. Providing resources and access to STEM education is key to inspiring innovation and interest. We’re proud to invest in the next generation’s visionaries.”

Educators applied for grants that could total up to $5,000 each. TVA said that special consideration went to applicants with projects focusing on energy, the environment, community problem-solving, and economic development--all things that TVA focuses on.

Schools in seven states are receiving money, including six in western Kentucky. Calloway County Middle School and North Calloway Elementary in Calloway County, Wingo and Central Elementary in Graves County, and Sharpe and South Marshall Elementary in Marshall County are all grant recipients.

Schools whose power comes from TVA through a local power company are eligible for the grants.