Powering the Next Generation: Inside the Strategic Play to Make Energy Exciting

UNION CITY, TN – August 04, 2026 – In a move that blends educational ambition with long-term industrial strategy, Discovery Park of America has officially launched the development of "Megawatts: The Exhibit." This new permanent energy gallery, slated for a late 2027 opening, is more than just a museum attraction. Backed by an expanded partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and designed by the renowned firm Solid Light, it represents a calculated investment in the nation's future energy workforce, packaged as a world of superheroes for children under ten.

The announcement marks a major milestone for the Union City institution, a sprawling 100,000-square-foot museum and 50-acre heritage park that has already drawn over 2.25 million visitors since 2013. While Discovery Park has a reputation for making complex topics accessible, "Megawatts" is its most ambitious educational initiative yet, tackling the intricate and often abstract world of energy production, transmission, and use. The project’s success hinges on a critical question: in an era of digital distraction, can a museum exhibit truly ignite a passion for STEM and channel it toward one of the country's most vital industries?

The 'Powerverse' Gambit: Gamifying a Generation's Interest

At the heart of the exhibit's strategy is a creative leap designed to capture the imagination of its youngest visitors. Instead of traditional diagrams and text-heavy displays, guests will journey through the "Powerverse," a fictional world where a team of superhero-inspired characters called the "Energy League" demystifies everything from solar panels to the electric grid. The approach is a deliberate attempt to transform dense scientific principles into memorable, narrative-driven experiences.

"One of our greatest opportunities has been finding a way to make an incredibly important subject exciting for young learners," said Scott Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Park. "The 'Powerverse' and the 'Energy League' give us a creative way to transform complex science into stories children can understand and remember."

This gamified approach is a direct response to the challenge of teaching topics like nuclear energy, geothermal power, and battery storage to an audience that has yet to enter middle school. The hands-on philosophy will be paramount, with plans to retain and enhance popular features like the interactive water tables from the park's existing energy gallery. The goal is to create an environment of exploration where children learn about motion, electricity, and transformers not by reading, but by doing. This aligns with a broader, necessary shift in museum pedagogy, moving away from passive observation toward multi-sensory, immersive engagement that can compete for attention in a screen-saturated world.

A Strategic Partnership to Power the Future Workforce

While the exhibit's facade is one of youthful wonder, its foundation is built on strategic corporate and public interest. The expanded support from the Tennessee Valley Authority is the clearest signal of the project's deeper significance. For TVA, this is not mere philanthropy; it is a direct investment in its future talent pipeline.

"Discovery Park of America does an outstanding job bringing science, technology and history to life for students and families across our entire region," stated Taquiya Thompson, Manager of Government and Community Relations for TVA. "TVA has been proud to support that mission, and we're excited to see this new energy gallery spark curiosity, encourage STEM learning and inspire America's next generation of engineers, innovators and problem solvers."

This partnership fits seamlessly into TVA's broader, multi-million-dollar strategy to cultivate a skilled workforce. The utility giant is already investing $1.5 million in the 2025 fiscal year for its STEM Classroom Grants program, which funds hands-on projects across the region. Furthermore, its "Workforce Invest" initiative has awarded over $6 million in four years to address critical talent shortages. "Megawatts: The Exhibit" serves as the vanguard of this strategy, aiming to plant the seeds of interest at the earliest possible age. By making the energy sector appear heroic and accessible, TVA and its fellow founding partners—Union City Electric, Origis Energy, and Gibson Electric Membership Corporation—are playing a long game, addressing the "hidden cost" of an aging workforce and the escalating need for technical expertise in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Designing the Experience: From Abstract Science to Tangible Wonder

Translating this ambitious vision into a physical reality falls to Solid Light, the Louisville-based design firm behind some of the nation's most immersive museum experiences. The firm’s previous successes at Discovery Park, including the acclaimed "AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival" and "Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway" exhibits, have established a deep trust and a shared creative language.

"Discovery Park has consistently challenged us to think beyond the traditional museum experience," said Chris Mozier, Chief Operating Officer of Solid Light. "Together, we're creating an environment where children and families won't simply learn about energy, they'll experience it through immersive storytelling, interactive exploration and memorable moments that spark curiosity long after they leave."

Solid Light's full-service, in-house approach—integrating design, media, and fabrication—is critical for a project that must render abstract concepts like fuel cells and power grids into tangible, interactive installations. The firm, which recently saw Mozier advance to President, is tasked with building the entire "Powerverse" from the ground up. Their work will determine whether a child leaves not just entertained, but with a foundational understanding of how a flick of a switch connects them to a massive, interconnected system of innovation.

The Economic Megawatt: Energizing a Rural Economy

Beyond its educational and industrial goals, "Megawatts: The Exhibit" is poised to become a significant new piston in the economic engine that is Discovery Park. The institution is already a powerful force for Union City and the surrounding rural region, responsible for an estimated $38 million in annual revenue. With 95% of its ticket buyers hailing from outside the local zip code, the park is a proven tourism magnet.

A state-of-the-art gallery focused on a topic of universal relevance is a powerful draw, expected to attract new visitors and encourage repeat trips from markets like Memphis, Nashville, and St. Louis. This project reinforces the original vision of the park's founders, who invested $100 million to create a world-class institution that would provide both educational uplift and economic vitality to Northwest Tennessee. As "Megawatts" moves from concept to construction, it carries not only the weight of inspiring future engineers but also the responsibility of continuing to power the prosperity of its home community.