The Russellville Middle School science department will have new opportunities soon thanks to a $10,000 grant.

The funds the Russellville Electric Board received as part of TVA’s COVID-19 Community Care Fund will be used for improvements to the school’s science department, with $5,000 coming from the REB and TVA providing matching funds of $5,000.

“Mr. Lee Brownell, one of our science teachers, came to us after researching this grant opportunity,” explained RMS Assistant Principal Monica Moon.

Brownell said the grant will go further than the science department alone.

“We are working on a project-based, cross-curricular program that will help develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving strategies in students,” he explained. “This will give back to the community for years to come.”

Moon said the school is enthusiastic about what this means for the students.

“We’d love to see our students investigate the needs of our community and state, research possible solutions, develop processes and plans of action and create presentations to deliver their findings,” Moon said. “It is our desire to grow thinkers and doers who will, in turn, give back to our community and lead us forward.”

RMS Principal Tony Bonds said the school is appreciative of having the support of community partners.

“Opportunities like this afford us the ability to provide more hands-on approaches for our students,” Bonds said. “We’re very thankful for what this means for the quality of the learning experiences we are able to provide them.”