Three Christian County schools have been awarded $5,000 each as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s latest STEM Classroom Grant cycle, supporting hands-on science, technology, engineering and math projects across the region.
Gateway Academy in Hopkinsville will launch an Autonomous Farming Tractor Lab that brings agricultural robotics directly into its engineering and STEM pathway. Using the Minds-i Autonomous Tractor System, students will design, build and program small autonomous farm vehicles. They’ll work with GPS navigation, obstacle-detection sensors and precision-farming simulations such as mapping, planting and field monitoring. The school says the project connects agriculture, automation and engineering through hands-on, team-based learning.
Millbrooke Elementary will use its grant to develop a STEM Gardening Center that teaches sustainable and affordable agriculture. Students will study plant biology, water conservation and environmental science while designing a plan to grow fast-producing vegetables in a greenhouse. The project focuses on food security and challenges students to research, test and determine optimal growing conditions. The school says the skills learned—ranging from science and math to writing and technology—can translate to home gardening or future agricultural careers.
South Christian Elementary will launch a 3D Printed Animal Habitat project, allowing students to research an animal, study its survival needs and design a custom habitat. Students will create digital models in Tinkercad, print key structures on a 3D printer and assemble full habitats using craft materials. The hands-on project ends with students presenting their designs and explaining how each feature supports their animal’s well-being.
TVA and Bicentennial Volunteers Inc., a TVA retiree group, are distributing $1.5 million in grants this year to 339 schools. TVA President and CEO Don Moul said the goal is to inspire students to pursue in-demand careers, noting that a strong STEM workforce leads to “more opportunities for students to achieve high-paying jobs” and strengthens communities. BVI President Kathy Black said the program helps “spark curiosity” and prepares young people for future innovation.
Since 2018, TVA and BVI have awarded more than $9 million in STEM grants, reaching over 845,000 students. This year alone, about 114,000 students will benefit from classroom projects.
A full list of grant recipients, along with photos, audio and video, is available at tva.com/stem.
