ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.,
April 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- Duke Energy is investing $653,000 in educational grants to empower
students and educators in Florida.
Twenty-three grants, awarded from the Duke Energy Foundation,
will enhance educational programs focused on science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM), as well as diversity, equity and
inclusion awareness.
"Building a brighter future begins with providing students with
the best education and opportunities for success,"
said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state
president. "These grants are an investment in our communities and
will strengthen and support those who are educating our next
generation."
Among this year's recipients is the Pinellas Education
Foundation, which received $180,000
in continuing support of the STEM Academy Program. The academy
fosters STEM content knowledge and workforce skill development for
students in grades 2-12 using an extended school day and summer
camp offerings. The program is free and open to any Pinellas County student, focusing on
under-represented, low-income and diverse students.
"Engaging students in STEM education at all levels develops
strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills," said
Stacy Baier, CEO of the Pinellas
Education Foundation. "We are grateful to Duke Energy's investment
in afterschool STEM programs, which gives students greater
opportunities to learn and explore the intersections of science,
technology, engineering and math."
Grant recipients, programs, awards
Statewide
- Consortium of Florida Education Foundations Inc. – Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion Professional Development for Florida's Local Education Foundations
($45,000).
- Florida Education Foundation – Florida STEAMposium ($45,000).
Greater Tampa Bay
area
- Pinellas Education Foundation – STEM Academy Program
($180,000).
- Polk Education Foundation and Business Partnership – Instead of
PPE, We're Focusing on EEE! (Energy, Engineering and Environmental
Studies) ($40,000).
- Citrus County Education Foundation Inc. – Foundation for
Success Projects ($36,000).
- Pasco Education Foundation Inc. – Pasco Energy and Marine
Center ($25,000).
- Young Men's Christian
Association Inc., Citrus County –
YMCA Summer Readers Program ($4,000).
Greater Orlando area
- Foundation for Orange County
Public Schools Inc. – 2021-2022 Teacher Impact Grants Program
($50,000).
- Orlando Science Center – Impactful STEM Fieldtrips ($45,000).
- Foundation for Seminole County
Public Schools – Enhancing STEM Opportunities for Students in
Seminole County ($40,000).
- Futures Inc. – EnviroSTEM 2022 ($30,000).
- A Gift for Teaching – Pencil Boys Program ($10,000).
- Educational Foundation of Lake County Inc. – Closing the Equity
Gap through Engineering Pathways ($10,000).
- Sumter Schools Enhancement
Foundation – Sumter Vision for Success ($6,000).
- Highlands County Education Foundation – STEM Mini-Grants for
Energy, Engineering or Environmental Education ($5,000).
- Orange County Library System – Summer Reading Program Outreach
to Overcome COVID Divide ($5,000).
Greater
Tallahassee/Gainesville
area
- Public Education Foundation of Marion
County – Every Cloud has a Silver Lining ($20,000).
- Education Foundation of Gulf County Inc. – Supercharged STEM:
Advanced Drone Construction ($12,000).
- Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education – Science
STEMulation ($10,000).
- Levy County Schools Foundation
Inc. – Bridging the Gap ($10,000).
- The Education Foundation of Alachua County Inc. – Take Stock
Summer Engineering Camp ($9,000).
- Jefferson County Education Foundation – Energizing Education
for Everyone ($8,000).
- Lafayette Penny Foundation Inc. – Science is Growing!
($8,000).
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to
meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and
work. The Foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts and is
funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about
the Foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at
duke-energy.com/foundation.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of the
largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000
people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts
through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its
nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.
Duke Energy is transforming its customers' experience,
modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and
expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy
future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric
Utilities and Infrastructure unit's regulated utilities serve
approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states –
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities
and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6
million customers in five states – North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit
operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as
well as energy storage and microgrid projects.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2020 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list, and Forbes' 2019 "America's Best Employers" list.
More information about the company is available at
duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains
news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials.
Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people,
innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke
Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Media contact: Allison Barker
Media line: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_AllisonB
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SOURCE Duke Energy