Education

As students and teachers return to classrooms each August, so will some STEMC employees.

“The education of young people is a responsibility that we take very seriously,” says Marilyn Maxwell, marketing and energy services coordinator. “Young people not only represent our future members but also the future residents of the communities that we serve.”

Southwest Tennessee Electric partners with the school systems in our service area to make a variety of programs available to teachers and students. Safety programs are available for various age groups or can be customized to teach work in classrooms as needed. These safety programs are designed to be flexible, demonstrating the dangers of electricity with adjustable levels of intensity to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Leadership, career, conservation and environmental programs can also be customized to meet the needs of individual groups.

  • Louie the Lightening Bug

    Grades K – 2
    Louie is a jazz-singing lightening bug who teaches kids to “play it safe” around electricity. Using humor and song, his video covers topics such as staying away from downed power lines and paying attention to danger signs. The video is available for teachers, or STEMC employees will gladly do a presentation for the class. Louie himself might even show up.

  • Danger High Voltage

    Grades 4-12
    Danger high voltage is a live demonstration that features burning cars and exploding homes. Students meet Mr. Notso Bright and see how electricity travels through the body to the ground. It effectively shows how electrical accidents occur and how they may be prevented.

  • Electrojuice

    Grades 6-12
    Electrojuice is a safety film for middle and high school students. It tells the story of Electrojuice – the personification of the dangers of electricity. The movie uses humor to present a serious message about electrical safety. The video is available for teachers, or STEMC employees are available for presentations.

  • 4-H Electric Camp

    Grades 6-7
    STEMC and other distribution cooperatives in the state sponsor the 4-H Electric Camp each June at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The 5 day camp for 6th and 7th graders provides hands-on learning, allowing students to build a working meter-lamp and extension cord, operate an electric vehicle, and visit TVA dams.

  • Youth Leadership Summit

    Grade 11
    The Youth Leadership Summit is held each spring in Nashville, and is sponsored by STEMC and other distribution cooperatives and the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. During the summit, students learn about state government, electric cooperatives, and the skills required to be a leader. STEMC sends two students each year.

  • Washington Youth Tour

    Grade 11
    Each year STEMC presents the Washington Youth Tour Creative Writing Contest in which 11th grade students compete for 10 spots on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.  A $75 cash award is given to the 2nd place winning student at each school, $200 cash for the overall winner from the STEMC service area, and $6,000 in scholarships is also awarded.  A teacher from one of the area high schools is invited to attend each year.

  • Career Fairs or Careers-on-Wheels

    All Ages
    STEMC routinely provides employees to discuss their jobs and equipment at career fairs. Students enjoy seeing the trucks that our employees use to build and repair power lines.

  • Speakers Bureau

    All Ages
    STEMC has employees available to discuss various topics such as:

    • Engineering
    • Finance
    • Marketing & Public Relations
    • Conservation
    • Vegetation Management
    • Green Energy

For additional information on any of the STEMC education programs, contact Marilyn Maxwell at 1-800-772-0472.