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BY IVAN SANDERS

CITY OF ELIZABETHTON PIO

Two local schools have been awarded $5,000 each through the TVA STEM Classroom Grant Program, supporting innovative science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects in the classroom.

West Side Elementary and Elizabethton High School were among 342 schools across Tennessee’s TVA region selected to receive a portion of a record-breaking $1.5 million distributed in 2025.

Funded by the Tennessee Valley Authority in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers Incorporated (BVI), a TVA retiree organization, the grant program is designed to spark student interest in STEM fields and prepare the next generation for careers in high-demand technical industries.

“STEM studies stimulate young minds today and prepare a workforce for the jobs of tomorrow,” TVA officials said in announcing the awards.

“The competitive program is open to schools located within the TVA service area that receive electricity from a TVA local power company. Grant requests could range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the scope and needs of the project.”

The hands-on learning opportunities funded by these grants often serve as a launching point for future careers in medicine, engineering, nuclear science, computer programming and robotics.

These lessons — designed by Tennessee Valley teachers for practical use in the classroom — may be formative steps for tomorrow’s doctors, civil engineers, nuclear scientists, computer programmers or robot designers. With a strong foundation in STEM learning, the potential is limitless.

TVA’s investment in education is part of a broader commitment to enhancing the quality of life across the Tennessee Valley.

These lessons are also an investment in the future of the Tennessee Valley, which is constantly evolving to become a better place to live, work and play.

To date, the TVA STEM Classroom Grant Program has supported thousands of students across the region, aiming to bridge gaps in STEM education and inspire a new generation of innovators.

For more information about the program, visit tva.com.