TVA Partnership Awards New Albany High School STEM Grant

The Tennessee Valley Authority, in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers Incorporated (a TVA retiree organization), recently awarded New Albany High School, $5,000 for a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education project.

The award presentation took place at New Albany High School on April 17 in front of school officials, students, and special guests. Bill Duke with TVA was on hand to make the special presentation to Dr. Lance Evans, Superintendent. Also in attendance were Jim Owen and Susan Parker with U.S. Representative Trent Kelly’s office, as well as Bill Mattox with New Albany Light, Gas, & Water.

The grant award is a part of $580,000 in competitive STEM grants awarded to 161 schools across TVA’s seven-state service territory.

“We are excited to receive this funding from TVA,” said Evans. “This grant will help us provide some additional opportunities for students in the field of technology.”

Across the valley, educators submitted projects large and small, to further their STEM education initiatives in the classroom.

The purpose of the “STEM in Internships” project New Albany High School submitted is two-fold:
• to provide students opportunities that will allow them to earn college credit and certifications; and,
• to develop basic technology and safety skills to better prepare them for college or immediate entry into the workforce, as well as give them basic skills to make them successful in their internship experiences.

The competitive grant program provided schools an opportunity to apply for funding up to $5,000 and preference was given to grant applications that explored TVA’s primary areas of focus: environment, energy, economic and career development and community problem solving.

“The goal of the program was to help further STEM education across the valley,” said Rachel Crickmar, TVA Community Relations Program Manager. “We knew this program would be popular and competitive and now we’re looking forward to seeing the impact these projects have.”

A full list of grant recipients can be found at 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.