Early Education Exploration

Fifth Graders Explore Boone Dam 

Sparks fly, circuits hum and gears move long before a dam generates power or a turbine spins. In the hands of skilled welders, electricians and engineers, raw materials transform into the backbone of the Valley region’s energy future.

In April, students across the region were introduced to these meaningful, hands-on, high-demand career paths that keep communities powered, connected and thriving.

Immersive experiences at Muhlenberg South Elementary School in Beechmont, Kentucky, and at Boone Dam brought TVA teams, union trades professionals and educators together to showcase the variety of careers available within TVA.

Exploring Possibilities

On April 2 at Muhlenberg South Elementary School, teachers and administrators saw how early exposure to technical careers influences a child’s sense of possibility.

“Through hands-on learning opportunities, TVA has introduced our students to skilled trades and technical careers,” said Leigh Ann Sherrod, assistant principal at Muhlenberg South Elementary. “Early exposure empowers elementary students with possibilities, builds pathways for their future and helps strengthen our community.”

When students learn about new career possibilities and what those careers look like in practice, they can imagine futures they may never have considered.

“These events are necessary to develop the workforce that TVA needs in the years to come,” said Tracy Hightower, senior advisor with Generation Projects and Fleet Services. “It is a pleasure to bring these experiences to students and see their faces when a connection is made between their interests and a potential career.”

Discovering Pathways

The benefits of early career exploration were also evident at the TVA Day event at Boone Dam on April 30.

The experience began near the Boone Dam visitor kiosks, where 12 hands-on booths introduced students to various TVA roles in fields such as engineering, environmental stewardship, dam operations and skilled trades.

“Kids need to know that there are (career) opportunities for everybody and that they deserve to have success in their future,” Becca Morris, fifth grade teacher at Hilton Elementary, said. “These experiences open their eyes to different pathways to explore."

And explore they did. Students visited TVA’s Skills Trailer – provided by the Generation Projects and Fleet Services team – which featured digital tools, career information and interactive displays built to spark interest in STEM fields and technical careers.

“That was so cool, I didn’t realize welding could be a real job,” one student said after watching a live welding demonstration.

Afterward, the students performed a welding simulation on their own. They also visited with other trades, where union employees from disciplines such as welding, electrical work, carpentry and mechanical maintenance shared stories, demonstrated safe tools and answered questions about their work.

Making Connections

The opportunity to speak with real professionals helped students make authentic connections between their classroom learning and the real jobs that keep TVA’s system operating.

One of the event’s most memorable components was the guided tour of Boone Dam.

For many students, it was the first time they’d been inside a hydroelectric facility. Seeing the inner workings of the dam – the turbines, equipment and operational areas – helped them understand how hydropower works and how TVA’s skilled workforce is essential in maintaining energy reliability across the Valley.

“I’ve never been inside something so big," one student said.

The programs helped reinforce TVA’s commitment to developing a strong, homegrown workforce. Through classroom programming, school-based events and immersive experiences like TVA Day, the events illustrate how early engagement plays a critical role in helping students envision future careers.

Also on-site was Spot, the robot dog – an always-popular highlight for students.

“It’s so cool that they use the robot dog to do some of the jobs of the people," a student observed.

“At TVA we have an abundance of opportunities for the next generation’s workforce to explore," said Nathaniel Andrews, IT End User Analyst. “Spot, the robot dog, demonstrates how TVA uses technology in multiple areas of expertise.

“Students learn that they can build Spot, code Spot, drive Spot or use Spot as a tool to do their jobs safely. It really helps kids see there is a job for everyone at TVA.”

The possibilities are endless when educators, public partners and TVA professionals work together to help students gain the confidence and curiosity needed to pursue futures in energy, engineering, environmental science and skilled trades.  

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