The Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County cut the ribbon on the new Buel and Mildred Brooks Bequest STEM Center on Wednesday afternoon.
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) room sis one of the newest Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Stem Centers in the region. The Tennessee Valley Authority provided funding through the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to outfit the room with tools and learning materials, including robotics and a 3D printer, for kids at the Boys and Girls Club to use to get hands on experience. According to Trina Gallman, a community engagement consultant with TVA, the equipment in the room, including tables and chairs, cost about $60,000.
Ongoing curriculum is also provided to the STEM Center through the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and TVA, as well as training for Boys and Girls Club instructors.
Gallman noted that TVA had contributed $1.5 million to create STEM Centers across TVA’s seven state service area. The one at the local Boys and Girls Club is the 47th center, with the next closest center being in Knoxville.
The partnership between TVA and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation focuses on public schools and community-based youth organizations, particularly in underserved and rural communities. STEM Centers are fully equipped with hands-on educational tools designed to close opportunity gaps and support at-risk students.
Trina Gallman
Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Scott Bullington said that former Boys and Girls Club Board President Chuck Bowlin was instrumental in pushing for a STEM Center at the new club facility on East Vann Road during his time on the board. Bowlin passed away unexpectedly in April 2024.
Chris Quillen with TVA said that he worked with Bowlin for 20 years in the public power sector, and said that the new STEM Center honored Bowlin and his service to the community.
Chris Quillen
The children at the club were excited to be in the new STEM space.
Precocious young children such as Jewel Dennis were eager to get to work in the new STEM Center, as Jewel asked TVA’s Laura Barnett about the new space in the Boys and Girls Club.
Laura Barnett and Jewel Dennis
In attendance at the ribbon cutting were Bowlin’s widow Tammy, State Rep. David Hawk, Greeneville Mayor Cal Doty, and officials with TVA.
The Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County celebrated the grand opening of its new 27,000 square-foot facility in July.
