Latest news with #TennesseeInventionConvention
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Poplar Grove Middle and Johnson Elementary awarded TVA STEM grants to help fund projects
The Tennessee Valley Authority recently awarded grants to two Franklin Special District schools for new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) resources. Johnson Elementary School and Poplar Grove Middle School each received $3,500 to assist with education projects. Both schools used the funds to launch new programs for students this year, officials said. 'We know STEM teachers across the region are inspiring students to become the workforce of the future and that's why it's so important for TVA to continue to support this grant program,' TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash said in a release announcing the grants. 'Providing additional resources to schools helps provide essential hands-on learning programs that equip students with skills that will help them be successful in whatever they choose to do in life.' The agency's competitive STEM classroom grant program is operated in partnership with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, managed by the Battelle organization. The program received 647 grant applications this year, and 342 were selected for funding, officials noted. At Johnson Elementary, grant funds were used to purchase composting materials for a new gardening program under the direction of library media specialist Dea Peach. Using hands-on activities, students will learn how organic waste can be transformed into nutrient-rich soil, reinforcing science concepts in an engaging way, Peach said of the program. 'We are excited to teach our students the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility,' she said. 'This contribution from TVA will go a long way in helping us teach our students that these lifelong habits can contribute to a more sustainable future.' At Poplar Grove Middle, the grant funds were used to purchase educational materials to help guide students as they create and launch their own businesses, officials said. 'Students are learning core business principles and entrepreneurial skills that will help them work as their own boss,' said STEM teacher Deb Shuler. 'Using this grant-funded curriculum, students learn the difference between services and products and the difference between digital and physical goods and services.' Through the program, students in grades 5-8 were given a goal of presenting a product at the Franklin Special District's Performing Arts Center fundraiser. Teams then went on to compete against other schools and student-led business concepts in a statewide competition earlier this spring. One of the teams, from sixth grade, not only placed but won in the manufacturing category at the Tennessee Invention Convention, held on March 26 at Middle Tennessee State University. The team has been invited to participate in the national competition this summer, officials said. TVA's school grants were awarded through a competitive process, and preference was given to grant applications that explored TVA's primary areas of focus: environment, energy, economic development, and community problem-solving. Any school that receives power from a local power company served by TVA is eligible to apply for the annual program. TVA has provided nearly $8 million in STEM grants supporting over 730,000 students since 2018, the agency said. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TVA awards two Middle Tennessee schools $3,500 STEM grants
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
MTSU Mondays: Young students at invention convention, regional science olympiad
Here's the latest news from Middle Tennessee State University. Excitement was abundant in Middle Tennessee State University's Student Union Ballroom recently as eager elementary schoolers from around the region pitched products to judges that darted from presentation to presentation. An annual event, the Tennessee Invention Convention hosted by MTSU's College of Education has cultivated the minds of young Tennesseans for over 30 years. The convention allows elementary and middle school students to show their creativity and problem-solving. Originally a one-day experience for fourth through sixth grade, the program has expanded to a two-day showcase for fourth through fifth grade, and sixth through eighth grade, respectively. But the first day of this year's convention for middle schoolers was canceled due to weather and has been rescheduled for March 27. Led by MTSU education professor Tracey Huddleston, the convention brought together more than 400 fourth and fifth grade students. Almost 300 inventions were on show for judges and other participants. 'Nearly all of the students along with their parents and teachers were able to attend. It was a wonderful time for everyone,' said Huddleston. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder in front of tri-fold posters, students advertised their inventions to anyone who roamed around the ballroom. The pitches were effortless, group members finishing each other's lines in a manner that only comes from practice and preparation. Ashlee Barnes, a fourth-grade teacher with Black Fox Elementary School in Murfreesboro, brought 11 students to the competition. This is Barnes' second time attending the convention, but her first time with Black Fox. Her students faced trial and error during the invention process, with many products already existing. 'It was really cool to see that everyone was able to come up with something and get excited about it,' said Barnes. She noted that her students had grown confident throughout the process that led up to the final presentation and showcase. The convention featured two categories: Game or Make Life Easier. Judges were assigned a category and grade level to judge, using a number system to rank each product. Inventions were required to fit the criteria for one of the categories to be eligible for the awards handed out at the end of the convention. Scott McDaniel, an MTSU University Studies professor, was a judge for the fifth grade game category. He had never heard of the convention and was excited to take part in judging. 'I can see how much effort they put in, and how excited they are about their game,' said McDaniel. The Tennessee Invention Convention is a regional event that sends winners to the national invention convention. This year's national competition will be held in Michigan at the beginning of June. Williamson County's Page Middle School and Ravenwood High School won their respective divisions in the recent 2025 Regional Science Olympiad held recently at MTSU. Ravenwood's team, from Brentwood, finished ahead of Central Magnet (Murfreesboro), Hume-Fogg Academic (Nashville) and Page (Franklin), with all four advancing to the state tournament Saturday, April 5, at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Page, second-place Rossville (Clarksville), Davidson County Homeschool (Nashville), Siegel (Murfreesboro) and Smyrna advanced to the middle school state tournament April 5 in Knoxville. The tournaments drew 25 teams and a combined 350 students to the annual event, held in MTSU's Science Building, Davis Science Building, Wiser-Patten Science Hall and McWherter Learning Resources Center. It was organized by the Tennessee STEM Education Center staff for the second year. Science Olympiad is a team competition where students in both divisions participate in 23 events related to various fields of science. The budding scientists learned teamwork and principles of STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — during the all-day event that featured middle school activities like 'Mission Possible,' 'Potions and Poisons,' 'Air Trajectory' and 'Wind Power' and high school challenges that included 'Dynamic Planet,' 'Microbe Mission,' 'Disease Detectives' and 'Bungee Drop.' 'Everything went fantastic,' said Kevin Ragland, a Tennessee STEM Education Center assistant director. 'All the events went off without a problem. The coaches, students and event supervisors were pleased.' More than 70 volunteers, including MTSU students and faculty, six Nissan engineers and three from Ultium Cells LLC, a battery manufacturer in Spring Hill, assisted with the event. MTSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from MTSU News and Media Relations. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Young students at invention convention, regional science olympiad
