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Happy Valley Elementary School has been awarded a grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority, in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc., a TVA retiree organization, to develop science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education projects to help spark student interest in future careers in STEM-related fields.
Teachers across TVA’s seven-state region applied for funding of up to $5,000 for projects, and 233 applications were selected.
“We are excited and humbled to have this funding to support our first ever robotics program to help empower, engage, and elevate students with hands-on activities and programs that help students develop skills they can apply to real-world problem solving,” said Kyle Hunt, Robotics Instructor. “We want to open doors to high quality, rewarding jobs for our students, and the grant will help us introduce them to these subjects from a young age. In addition, starting the program at the elementary school will provide a successful feeder program for the Warrior community.”
“I am thrilled that our students are being given this opportunity to learn about robotics and explore career pathways they may have never considered before. Providing our children with the skills they need to build a successful life for themselves should be our top priority. I commend Mr. Hunt and the faculty at Happy Valley Elementary for their work on this project, and all they do for our students,” said Patty Woodby, Carter County Mayor.
Schools who are awarded grants must receive their power from a local power company served by TVA. Happy Valley Elementary School is served by TVA. The school will use the grant to introduce the first ever elementary robotics program and coding course to spark interest in engineering related fields.
“TVA is committed to supporting STEM education to help develop today’s students into tomorrow’s engineers, scientists and IT professionals,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer. “It’s inspiring to be able to contribute to the innovators of the next generation.”
Since 2018, TVA and BVI have awarded nearly $2 million in STEM grants to support local education.
A full list of grant recipients, and information on how to apply for a future STEM grant can be found at www.tvastem.com.