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Serving Columbus & Starkville, Mississippi        (https://cdispatch.com/) Home  » (https://cdispatch.com/news/) News  » Education: TVA awards $700K to schools, nonprofits to power robotics programs   (https://cdispatch.com/news/area/) Area   Education: TVA awards $700K to schools, nonprofits to power robotics programs By Tennessee Valley Authority • August 18, 2026  • 2 mins to read     KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Valley Authority and Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc., announced $700,000 in award funding for robotics education at 187 schools and non-profit organizations that serve students across TVA’s seven-state region. A total of 7,431 students will benefit from the investment, including students at the Boys & Girls Club of the Golden Triangle. The club was awarded a $2,500 grant. It is the second year that TVA and BVI have partnered for the robotics awards program. “TVA and BVI are deeply committed to expanding access to robotics education across our seven‑state region,” said Interim TVA President and CEO Mike Skaggs. “These hands‑on skills open doors to a wide range of career paths, and we’re focused on preparing today’s students to become tomorrow’s skilled, confident workforce.” The funding can be used to create a new robotics program or enhance a program that already exists. “Award funding will launch and sustain a comprehensive robotics initiative serving 1,005 students in grades 7-12 across Oktibbeha, Lowndes and Clay counties by supporting equipment acquisition, instructional materials, staffing, and participation in structured robotics instruction, mentorship and competitive events,” said Grant Development and Special Events Administrator Paulette Ferguson. “This investment will expand equitable access to high-quality, hands-on STEM learning, resulting in improved academic achievement.” Any school or non-profit that receives electricity from a local power company served by TVA was eligible to apply. A complete list of winners can be found at tva.com/robotics. The robotics program is similar to TVA and BVI’s long-standing STEM awards. Applications for this year’s STEM awards are being accepted now through Sept. 15, at tva.com/STEM. (https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/copy_link?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fcdispatch.com%2Fnews%2Feducation-tva-awards-700k-to-schools-nonprofits-to-power-robotics-programs%2F&linkname=Education%3A%20TVA%20awards%20%24700K%20to%20schools%2C%20nonprofits%20to%20power%20robotics%20programs) (Copy Link)  (https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fcdispatch.com%2Fnews%2Feducation-tva-awards-700k-to-schools-nonprofits-to-power-robotics-programs%2F&linkname=Education%3A%20TVA%20awards%20%24700K%20to%20schools%2C%20nonprofits%20to%20power%20robotics%20programs) (Email)  (https://www.addtoany.com/share)      You can help your community Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. 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