BGISD Schools Win $10,000 Grants Through TVA School Uplift Program

Bowling Green High School and Dishman McGinnis Elementary have been selected to win $10,000 each through the TVA EnergyRight School Uplift program. 

The efforts at BGHS were led by the school’s Environmental Club and Science Club and by Kayla Rogers and the Dishman McGinnis STEAM Lab.

School Uplift partners with local power companies for a year-long energy management training program that helps schools make smart energy choices that improve the classroom learning environment and save money through decreased energy use.  

This school year, BGHS Environmental and Science Clubs have promoted energy conservation among peers, faculty and staff with several efforts including an Earth Day celebration, and “Power Down Days”- with incentives for power reduction efforts. Students have also created and shared energy-saving tips through “Power Down Checklist,” reminders for appliances in the teacher work rooms, and frequent school announcements.

Students at BGHS voted on plans to use the grant funding and will purchase an indoor garden or aquaponics system, as well as additional activities for the school’s outdoor courtyard including a giant chess and checkerboard game, and cornhole set.

Dishman McGinnis STEAM Teacher Kayla Rogers also works to share energy saving tips as part of her curriculum, and her tips for energy savings are part of the school’s weekly school morning meetings. DMES also studies monthly energy efforts using data from the district’s facilities department.

Dishman McGinnis will use additional funding from TVA for school wide enrichment activities including a summer trip to Mammoth Cave.

BGHS and Dishman McGinnis are among 323 schools to have completed School Uplift over the past four years, competing to earn grants for building upgrades and other learning environment improvements. On average, participating schools save nearly 10% on their annual energy bills from behavior changes alone.  

 “Every dollar invested in our schools helps districts allocate resources to what truly matters – providing quality education for our children,” said Monika Beckner, vice president of TVA’s Energy Services & Programs. "We’re proud of the winners of this year’s School Uplift grants, who are dedicated to reducing energy waste and building a stronger, more sustainable future.”

About TVA

The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA has one of the most diverse energy systems – including nuclear, hydro, solar, gas, and advanced technologies. To prepare for the future, TVA is making significant investments in its power system toward new generation and transmission.  

TVA is a self-supporting corporate agency of the United States, receiving no annual federal appropriations and deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. TVA maintains some of the lowest energy costs and highest reliability in the nation. TVA’s residential rates are lower than those paid by over 80% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities and industrial rates are lower than those paid by over 90% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities.  In addition, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. Learn more at TVA.com.