Beech Tree News Network

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Valley Authority, in partnership with Warren RECC and Bicentennial Volunteers Incorporated ( a TVA retiree organization), recently awarded Butler County High School, $5,000 for a STEM ( science, technology, engineering, and math) education project.

The grant award is a part of $800,000 in competitive STEM grants awarded to nearly 200 schools across TVA’s seven-state service territory.

According to Tim Hughes, TVA Program Director, Butler County High School is one of ten reciepents in Kentucky.

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

According to Jennifer Davis, BCHS Chemistry teacher, the grant will provide 12 chromebooks and 12 robotic kits to explore energy.

"We are proud to work in partnership with TVA and Butler County High School," said Brittany Hudson, of WRECC.

The Science Department at BCHS includes: Jennifer Davis, Madison Staton, Emily McAfee, and Kayla Spurgeon.

The competitive grant program provided teachers an opportunity to apply for funding up to $5,000 and preference was given to grant applications that explored TVS’s primary areas of focus: environment, energy, economic and career development and community problem solving as well as pandemic related projects. Schools who receive grant funding must receive their power from TVA distributor.

“Despite the new challenges Valley teacher’s faced in 2020, they are still focused on providing the best STEM education possible and have adjusted to new ways of teaching,” said Community Engagement Senior Program Manager Rachel Crickmar. “ I am proud of the partnership we have built with these amazing educators across the Tennessee Valley over the past few years and are pleased to be able to provide some support through this program. Through the grants awarded this year, over 72,000 students will be directly impacted across the Valley.”

A full list of the 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.