HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Christian County robotics students have received $2,500 in grant funds from the Tennessee Valley Authority to expand their competitive team and increase student access.
A total of $700,000 was distributed to 187 schools in the region including Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi for 2026-27. A total of 7,431 students will benefit from the investment, according to a news release from the TVA. The grant awarded to Christian County was designated for the Gateway Academy to Innovation & Technology, which is now integrated into the new consolidated high school.
“Our goal is to increase participation, improve competitive success, and deepen student learning in engineering design and robotics systems,” said CCHS Robotics Coach Benjamin Smith. He hopes they will be able to expand access to underrepresented student groups, integrate robotics into more classroom instruction, and enhance their equipment.
Additionally, funding from this grant will support the following initiatives.
- Expanding the number of active robotics teams.
- Purchasing additional VEX kits, parts, and field elements.
- Enhancing programming and sensor capabilities.
- Increasing student access to hands-on build opportunities.
- Supporting competition readiness and performance.
In February, Christian County Public Schools received an additional STEM grant from the TVA, which went to the high school robotics program as well as other STEM programs in the district. The high school robotics team has competed against teams all over the world and attend competitions across the nation.
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 September 15, at tva.com/STEM.
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