March 20, 2024
By BARTON HENLEY
Rutherford County Schools
343 schools in Tennessee are to be 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 education programs for students that will inspire interest in STEM-related fields.
Seven RCS schools were awarded the grant yesterday.
Citing specific projects or programs they hoped to implement, educators from across TVA’s seven-state region applied for grants of up to $5,000.
The following RCS educators applied for the grants:
Marc Guthrie - Central Magnet School
Rachel Hibdon - Smyrna Primary School
Lichelle Leonard - Smyrna Elementary School
Chad Lewis - Riverdale High School
Bethany Rader - Stewarts Creek Elementary School
Katelyn Ross - Stewartsboro Elementary School
Kevin Welch - Stewarts Creek Middle School
“TVA is committed to supporting schools and educators who are inspiring an interest in STEM education in students across the Valley, 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 we’re proud to contribute to the next generation’s visionaries.”
Since 2018, TVA and BVI have awarded nearly $6 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.