White County Middle School has just celebrated a huge milestone for its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) center. Receiving a grant from Tennessee Valley Authority, a new state-of-the-art center, dubbed The Cal Ripkin Sr. Foundation STEM center, has been built. To celebrate, WCMS invited members of the county that were involved with procuring this new center to a ribbon cutting event.
Bert Robinson, senior state director with TVA, spoke proudly about the new center.
“This program dates back to 2023 when TVA went into partnership with Cal Ripkin Sr. Foundation, in Baltimore, to really start looking more closely at STEM here in the state,” Robinson said. “Since 2023, TVA has invested over $2 million in bringing these STEM centers to the valley.”
Robinson finished by expressing the importance of centers like this, as it helps get students get engaged in activities that will help them in the workforce in the future. He also thanked the many people that helped bring this center to reality.
Belva Bess with Sparta Electric was also present for the ribbon cutting, as Sparta Electric has been a huge supporter during TVA’s investments in the area.
“We’re excited for all that TVA is doing to help get this into our community, and we feel very fortunate that the Middle School was able to get it this year,” Bess said.
Some of the equipment that WCMS has access to includes multiple newer 3D printers, which the students were using during the ribbon cutting. They also have miniature drones, as well as these rolling orbs that are controlled on a tablet. The students work on various projects with robotics and engineering that help challenge their minds to grow.
Principal Montuka Murray was grateful for everyone who showed up for the ribbon cutting, and he was equally excited for the future of WCMS’s STEM program.
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