TVA IT Information Officer Scott Self, right, talks with Charley Spencer as colorful tactile learning aides adorn all the pre-K through fifth grade work tables in the new TVA STEAM learning room at Woodmore Elementary. Students at Woodmore Elementary School have a newly renovated room dedicated to learning about science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
The room, which recently got a bright coat of paint, had been unused for quite some time and served as a storage room. That is, until a group of Tennessee Valley Authority employees volunteered their time to help renovate it.
They did it, they said, because they wanted to show their support for the school after last year's fatal bus crash that killed six children, said Ginger Brasher, TVA's senior information technology secretary.
"[We] wanted to give back to the community to help them bounce back," said Drew Rimback, one of the TVA volunteers. "We can't imagine what they went through."
Hamilton County Superintendent Bryan Johnson praised the project.
"We are extremely fortunate to have a partner like TVA, because their commitment to our schools seems to know no bounds," Johnson said in a statement Friday. "The hours and sweat equity they put into this effort certainly humbles me. This is just another exceptional example of the commitment of the Hamilton County business community."
Brasher spearheaded the two-phase project, which began in January and wrapped up in late August.
The first phase involved cleaning out boxes and old materials that were stored in the room, as well as repainting the walls. Then Brasher researched best methods of designing STEAM rooms and began ordering the necessary furniture and supplies.
Once the shipment arrived, the team came back to the school to start installing furniture and appliances. Several caddies filled with watercolor paints, paint brushes and other craft supplies topped work tables around the room, and cubbies filled with colorful tactile learning aids lined the walls.
Woodmore is set to hire a part-time STEAM teacher after fall break who will be in charge of teaching children in the room. In the meantime, Principal Dionne Upton said homeroom teachers will take their students to the room for specific STEAM lessons.
"We are excited to add it to our curriculum for the children," Upton said.
Now that the project is finished, Brad Bennett, another TVA employee who volunteered, said he was blown away by how different the room looks.
"It's fun to see what it was and what it's become," he said.
The project, which cost about $8,000, was completely paid for by TVA employee donations, said Charley Spencer, a retired financial analyst at TVA who is involved in robotics initiatives in many public schools.
"TVA's mission is to serve people and make lives better," said Scott Self, chief information officer. "It's a great way to show we care and support the children."
Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327. Follow her on Twitter @HughesRosana.