TVA, TVARA Keep Robots Running Strong

More than 20 years ago, there were just a handful of robotics teams in the Valley region.

But today, with help from TVA, Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. and TVARA retirees, there are hundreds of robotics teams across TVA's seven-state region.

“TVA is proud of our partnership with BVI to support robotics programs throughout the Valley region,” said Althea Jones, TVA’s director of public engagement. “Our investment in robotics programs is an investment in TVA’s future. The students in these programs will soon be our engineers, technicians and mechanics who advance, develop and operate the energy system of the future.”

TVA’s service area is home to more than 1,700 robotics, drone and electric-car teams made up of students of all ages.

For the past 10 years, TVA – in conjunction with BVI – has donated more than $10 million to robotics programs. And for the past two decades, TVA employees and retirees have served more than 250,000 students by volunteering as mentors, judges and cheerleaders.

This season, the Valley region hosted more than 300 competitions for elementary, middle, high school and college students.

“Robotics is a cornerstone of the workforce of tomorrow, driving progress and ensuring that TVA remains competitive in the ever-changing market for talent,” said Nadja Harrison, TVA recruitment manager. “Embracing this technology is critical for building TVA's future workforce.” 

In April, the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation teamed with VEX Robotics to host the world competition in Dallas.

More than 24,000 robotics teams worldwide competed in regional competitions, but only 2,400 teams made it to the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation event. They represented more than 50 countries. The Valley region had 72 teams from five states competing in various events.

Jackson Area Robotics, a community team from Jackson, Tennessee, won the world championship in the high school division. This was a first for Valley-region teams — an incredibly huge accomplishment.

Also in April, a world championship competition in Houston, sponsored by First Inspire, saw seven Valley-region teams competing against more than 1,000 teams from 66 countries.

Zac Keepers, a student from Owens Crossroads, Alabama, was one of 10 students who bested about 15,000 competitors to earn a spot on the “Dean’s List.” The peer-nominated/reviewed award represents the best of all robotics students in the world.

The success of these students is a testament to the tremendous value of these programs – and it spotlights the importance of investing time and funding to ensure the Valley region can continue to develop robotics teams that earn global recognition.

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