Several schools in the Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) district have been awarded STEM grants by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The grants will aid in developing science, technology, engineering and math education projects to help spark student interest in future careers in STEM-related fields.
NES and TVA presented $1,000 to Shwab Elementary. Shwab Elementary will use the grant to purchase tools to plan, design and build a permanent, museum style and interactive marble run display. The display will demonstrate water flow and the impact both water and air quality have on the environment. The demonstration will be used as a teaching tool for multiple areas of the science curriculum across all grade levels.
TVA and NES also presented a $5,000 STEM check to Hillsboro High School. Hillsboro High School will use the grant as part of an Interdisciplinary Science and Research program. The program will challenge students to develop real-world solutions to local environmental issues in the city of Nashville. Students will be charged with selecting an issue and brainstorming ideas that would benefit citizens and the ecosystem.
Crieve Hall Elementary School also received $5,000 and will use the grant to revive the school’s garden. The garden was originally started in 2013 but was neglected due to the pandemic. In 2021, the garden was revitalized for educational opportunities. The original beds and watering system needed an overhaul, so the STEM funding will make that possible, creating a space for another decade of students to learn about soil, plants and pollinators.
TVA also awarded $5,000 to John Overton High School to purchase tools to support an Interdisciplinary Science and Research program to study neuroscience. Through the funding, students will learn about mental health disorders and brain damage caused by sports-related concussions. They will also build brain models to learn about the full functionality of the organ.
Schools who are awarded grants must receive their power from a local power company served by TVA. All grants are made possible in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc., a TVA retiree organization. A full list of grant recipients and information on how to apply for a future STEM grant can be found here.
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