STEM Classroom Grant Program Awards $1 Million in STEM Grants to Local Schools
Upper Cumberland – The Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN), managed by Battelle, supported the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Bicentennial Volunteers Inc. (BVI), a TVA retiree organization, in providing $1.5 in STEM classroom grants across the Tennessee Valley.
In the Upper Cumberland, the following schools received grants:
- Algood Middle School
- Smithville Elementary School
- Jackson County Middle School
- Cannon North
- Livingston Middle School
- Cumberland County High School
- White County Middle School
- Prescott South Middle School
- Rickman Elementary School
STEM classroom grants are key catalysts in opening doors of opportunity by providing access to resources, enabling innovative teaching practices and expanding STEM curricula. Teachers can implement cutting-edge teaching methods and technologies, fostering an environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking and hands-on learning experiences.
“The transformative impact of the STEM classroom grant program on Tennessee’s educational landscape is outstanding. By providing essential resources and increased opportunity, we are cultivating the future innovators, scientists, and engineers who will shape our world,” states Brandi Stroecker, TSIN Network Director. “This program embodies our commitment to fostering a passion for STEM education, empowering teachers, and inspiring future leaders in STEM fields. This partnership is building a foundation for a brighter and more innovative future.”
This classroom grant program is competitive, and the network is pleased to continue managing the program through our partnership with TVA and BVI. This year, an astounding 715 applications were received, with 343 approved and funded. Over the last six years, this program has provided nearly $6.5 million in STEM grants and supported more than 600,000 students.
“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,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer. “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.”
“Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. has a reputation for giving back to the community. BVI is proud to partner with TVA in empowering teachers to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math,” said Kathy Black, president of BVI. “We believe that by enriching their educational experiences, we are helping create lifelong learners and building the workforce of tomorrow.”
With four major metropolitan areas and a vast range of rural areas, grants are approved and awarded to cover and address the needs of all communities.
One of the grant recipients was Westhills Elementary School in Lewisburg, TN, served by Lewisburg Electrical System. Their proposal is called “Is It Hot or Not.” Students will examine how thermal energy travels through objects using thermal cameras and infrared thermometers for this project. These experiments will continue to grow student awareness and understanding of ecological and environmental changes from thermal energy.
Another grant recipient, Normal Park Museum Magnet School in Chattanooga, TN, served by EPB, will focus on sustainable building. This school is fortunate to work with a community partner, GreenSpaces Chattanooga, to have access to a plot of land that will be used as a part of a sustainability program. Students will research and design a building while connecting multiple STEM disciplines, from science to engineering.
STEM classroom grants are awarded in amounts up to $5,000, and preference is given to grant applications that explore one of the grant’s primary areas of focus: environment, energy, economic development or community problem-solving.
A full list of the Tennessee grant recipients can be found on our website.
To learn more about this grant program and how to apply for future funding rounds, please visit https://www.tsin.org/classroom-opportunities.
Image by Freepik.
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