CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 28, 2026)―EPB, The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. (a TVA retiree organization), have awarded a total of $68,000 in STEM grants to 17 schools in EPB’s service area.
The grants support innovative, classroom‑based projects that encourage creativity, critical thinking and real‑world problem‑solving while helping students explore future career pathways in STEM‑related fields. STEM education encompasses science, technology, engineering and math—fields that are critical to preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow. Continued investment in these areas helps translate classroom learning into real‑world opportunity and long‑term success.
Grant awards of up to $5,000 were distributed based on project proposals submitted by teachers who aligned their proposed learning activities with priority focus areas such as energy, environment, economic development and community problem‑solving. Schools selected within EPB’s service area are among hundreds across TVA’s seven‑state region to receive funding through the competitive STEM Classroom Grant Program.
Our local winning schools include:
Programs like this help equip students with critical skills that will help shape the next generation of innovators, engineers and leaders across our area.
“At EPB, we believe that access to meaningful STEM experiences plays a critical role in preparing students for the future,” said David Vanzant, Energy Services at EPB. “By supporting educators and innovative classroom projects, these grants help students gain the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving, technology‑driven world.”
According to TVA, the agency and Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. have supported more than 845,000 students with nearly $9 million in STEM grants since 2018.
“At its core, this program is about opening doors to in-demand career pathways,” TVA Senior Vice President of Customer Relations & Economic Development Dan Pratt said. “These educators are introducing students to skills that power critical technology jobs needed for our region’s growth. When kids are exposed early to STEM and other specialized skill paths, they gain access to opportunities that can support their families and strengthen our communities.”
The competitive TVA STEM Classroom Grant Program is operated in partnership with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network managed by the Battelle organization. Find a full list of recipients and information on how to apply for future STEM grants at tva.com/stem.
About EPB
Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, EPB is a nationally recognized energy and communications provider with a mission to enhance quality of life for the people it serves across its 600-square-mile service area. Starting in 2010, EPB gained notice as a national model for building and utilizing its 100% fiber-to-the-home network to deliver cutting-edge services such as the world’s fastest community-wide internet, now with service up to 25 Gig, and the nation’s most advanced automated electric grid.
As a pioneer in fiber optic innovation, EPB also launched EPB Quantum℠ to provide access to cutting-edge quantum technology platforms and help innovators bring paradigm-shifting solutions into the real world. With the launch of EPB Quantum Network® in 2023 and EPB Quantum Computing℠ (coming in early 2026), EPB Quantum offers the most comprehensive, commercially available quantum technology platform in the U.S.
Learn more at epb.com and EPBQuantum.com.
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