Building the STEM Pipeline, Together
The Research Corporation supports and partners with organizations that spark curiosity in students and build the talent pipeline our region’s innovation economy depends on.
Innovation starts long before a company does. It starts with students.
The Research Corporation is a supporter and key partner for the STEM programs below, from robotics and underwater ROVs to biotech education and region-wide learning, several of them anchored right at our Valleybrook campus.
Niswonger Foundation
The Niswonger Foundation is the Research Corporation’s key partner in building the region’s education and workforce pipeline. Founded in 2001 by businessman and philanthropist Scott M. Niswonger, founder of Landair and Forward Air, it was established as an operating foundation that runs its own programs and projects rather than only making grants.
Its mission, guided by the “Learn-Earn-Return” philosophy, is to create opportunities for individual and community growth through education. The Foundation works across Pre-K through 12 and higher education with programs including the Niswonger Scholars leadership and scholarship program, AP Access for ALL, NiswongerCARE, Career Pathways, School Readiness, and STEM FLEX, all focused on Northeast Tennessee.
Robot Drone League
The Robot Drone League (RDL), operated by STREAMWORKS Education, is a hands-on STEM competition where students design, build, and operate robots and drones to complete challenge missions, with RDL and RDL Jr. divisions for different ages. The 2026–2027 challenge, “Emergency! Urban Rescue,” puts teams to work on real-world rescue scenarios.
The Research Corporation is a proud sponsor and partner. RDL is based at the Valleybrook campus in Kingsport, and the RDL National Championship is hosted at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.
MATE ROV Competition
The MATE ROV Competition uses underwater robotics, remotely operated vehicles, to challenge K-12, community college, and university students worldwide to apply science, engineering, and technical skills to real-world ocean and workplace problems. Its classes run from SCOUT for beginners through EXPLORER for advanced teams.
The Research Corporation runs the MATE store out of the Valleybrook campus, supplying SeaMATE ROV kits and materials that get students building and learning.
BioBuilder
BioBuilder is the Research Corporation’s partner for biomanufacturing education. Established in 2011 by an award-winning team from MIT, the BioBuilder Educational Foundation brings hands-on, problem-based biotech curriculum into high school classrooms, along with its BioTechBuilder micro-credential program that prepares students for careers in biotechnology.
BioBuilder has reached more than 94,000 students and 660 teachers across all 50 states and 87 countries. Locally, the BioBuilder Learning Lab is hosted at Valleybrook, anchoring the biomanufacturing workforce pipeline the region is building.
Build the STEM pipeline with us
Partner, sponsor, or bring a program to your students. Let’s talk.