MEMPHIS, TENN. ­— The Tennessee Valley Authority, Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. (BVI) – TVA’s retiree association – and Memphis Light, Gas and Water awarded 22 schools across Memphis and Shelby County with STEM grants. The grants ranged from $1,500 to $5,000 and were awarded to further support education in environment, energy, economic and career development, and community problem-solving.

The following schools in Memphis and Shelby County were awarded grants:

• STAR Academy Charter School
• Memphis East High School
• Douglass K-8 Optional School
• Ridgeway Middle School
• Berclair Elementary School
• Dexter K-8 School
• Idlewild Elementary School
• Kingsbury High School
• Barret's Chapel School
• Mitchell High School
• White Station High School
• Soulsville Charter School
• E. E. Jeter K-8 School
• Freedom Prep Westwood
• Altruria Elementary School
• Elmore Park Middle School
• Houston High School
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
• Lakeland Preparatory School
• Memphis School of Excellence Winchester
• St. George's Independent School
• Woodland Presbyterian School

“TVA is proud to support educators and students who pursue excellence in STEM subjects,” said Mark Yates, TVA regional executive leader. “To build the energy system of the future, we need to invest in our local schools and expose our students to opportunities that are right here in our community. These students are our future workforce, and we need to prepare them to continue innovating for the decades ahead.”

“MLGW values this partnership with TVA and BVI and is excited to see how our local teachers use the grant funds to inspire the next generation of leaders,” said Timothy Davis, MLGW Vice President of Customer Experience and Energy Services. “STEM education promotes the skills and competencies that we look for in employees - critical thinking, problem-solving, perseverance, adaptability, cooperation, organization, and responsibility.”

This year’s program awarded $1.5 million in grants to schools across the Tennessee Valley. Teachers can apply for funding up to $5,000 for STEM projects with preference given to applications that explore TVA’s primary area of focus: environment, energy, economic and career development, and community problem-solving.

Eligible applicants are teachers or school administrators in public or private schools, grades K-12. Schools must be in the TVA service area and receive electricity from a local power distributor served by TVA.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving the residents of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee since 1939. MLGW consistently provides customers with rates that are amongst the lowest in the nation and stewards a water supply from artesian wells that is minimally treated. Actively engaged in promoting the prosperity of Memphis and Shelby County, MLGW supports the seven local chambers in its service area and makes doing business with local, minority- and women-owned businesses a priority. Deeply rooted in the community, its employees generously donate time and money in support of bettering the Greater Memphis area.