Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) recently awarded $10,000 to the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County as part of its statewide EmPOWERing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Educators Program. The program’s goal is to increase teacher knowledge of effective math and science instructional practices that align with Florida Standards through peer-to-peer learning of best practices.
The funding will support the Education Foundation’s goal to help create a robust professional development experience for teachers, including opportunities to learn from educators in A-rated schools and from those who face similar challenges in their classrooms. Schools that will benefit from this grant include Frontier, Jupiter Farms, Elbridge Gale, Forest Hill, Morikami Park, Addison Mizner, Rolling Green, Citrus Cove and Poinciana elementary schools, among others.
“High-quality education is the foundation for our students’ dreams, and equipping teachers with the tools to succeed is the rocket fuel that propels those dreams to new heights,” said James Gavrilos, president and CEO of the Education Foundation. “Through the funding of this program, we are grateful to be able to help inspire the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers and visionaries.”
FPL is partnering with the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations to bring this program to school districts throughout the state. Since 2010, the consortium has administered hands-on, workplace-based STEM classroom learning experiences to increase student awareness and interest in STEM careers. Together, the consortium and FPL developed this program specifically for math and science teachers.
“Investments in STEM education help equip our students with the knowledge and skills needed to drive innovation, strengthen our economy and address the challenges of tomorrow,” said Sarah Marmion, education and outreach centers manager for FPL. “The lasting impact of these grants shape a brighter future for all of Florida.”
FPL is awarding a total of $131,000 to 13 local education foundations across the state. As part of a continued commitment to STEM education, the company is also supporting local students by awarding up to $20,000 scholarships to 10 graduating high school seniors in select counties who have at least one year of experience in a SECME (Science, Engineering, Communication, Mathematics and Enrichment) program. Applications are open until March 31, 2024. For more information, visit www.fpl.com/education.
