Chattanooga Gas champions STEM education through hands-on energy workshop

CHATTANOOGA, TN – September 19, 2025 – Chattanooga Gas, in collaboration with The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, proudly completed the 2025 Chattanooga Energy Workshop for Students on September 18. This hands-on learning experience engaged eighth grade students and educators from Red Bank Middle School in a comprehensive day of learning focused on energy, sustainability and future career pathways.

The workshop offered students an immersive experience through demonstrations that were designed to inspire them towards sustainable living and careers in the energy sector. This initiative underscores the commitment Chattanooga Gas has to supporting educational opportunities that nurture the next generation of energy sector leaders.

Walt Farrell, president and CEO of Chattanooga Gas, highlighted the importance of empowering younger generations in the energy industry: “Chattanooga Gas takes great pride in supporting programs and organizations that teach younger generations about the energy industry. By demonstrating real-life applications, we’re teaching students why energy is essential to our everyday lives and exposing them to career paths in STEM. We’re generating curiosity and empowering a future workforce to serve our communities.”

The event also spotlighted the critical roles of renewable natural gas, energy efficiency and other related topics, with Chattanooga Gas employees dedicating their time and expertise. Supported by a $28,000 grant from Chattanooga Gas, programs led by The NEED Project will continue to benefit students and teachers by providing valuable resources for understanding clean energy, efficiency, and conservation.

"I am thankful for the thought and time Chattanooga Gas and The NEED Project put into this experience for our students," said Dr. Ginger Frady, Red Bank Middle School principal. "The experience students get from partners bringing hands-on learning activities is invaluable. This type of workshop connects real-world problems to the content our students learn in classrooms every day. It is pivotal in middle school for our students to expand their classroom connections to real-world careers as they begin finding their interests and strengths that will carry them through the rest of their educational journey."

Chattanooga Gas works across its footprint to empower younger generations, encourage sustainability efforts and support talent development in the energy sector. For more information about Chattanooga Gas’s commitment to uplifting the community it serves, visit chattanoogagas.com/news/community.

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About Chattanooga Gas
Chattanooga Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Chattanooga Gas provides retail natural gas sales and transportation services to approximately 72,000 customers in Hamilton and Bradley counties in southeast Tennessee. The Chattanooga Gas service area includes the communities of Chattanooga, Cleveland, Red Bank, East Ridge, Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain. For more information, visit chattanoogagas.com.

Media Contact
Ashley Hoffman | 678.357.1685 | ahoffman@southernco.com