(BPRW) Two Classrooms in Brevard County win prestigious STEM Classroom Makeover Grants

(Black PR Wire) Melbourne, Fla. – Hundreds of local students will have new opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) announces a major expansion of its Classroom Makeover Grant program. Two schools in Brevard County will each receive a $50,000 grant to transform their classroom into an innovative learning space, igniting a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among its students.

In celebration of FPL’s centennial, the company is super-sizing the program this year, expanding from five STEM Classroom Makeover Grants to 20 grants across the state – quadrupling the program and devoting $1 million to benefit Florida students.

“We are incredibly grateful to Florida Power & Light Company for their generous support. These grants will transform our classrooms at Port Malabar and Coquina Elementary Schools into state-of-the-art learning spaces, providing our students with unparalleled opportunities to explore and excel in STEM subjects,” said Dr. Mark Rendell Superintendent. “This initiative is a testament to the power of community partnerships in enhancing educational experiences and preparing our students for future careers. We are excited to see the positive impact these innovative learning environments will have on our students’ growth and development.”

“We are deeply grateful to Florida Power & Light Company for their extraordinary investment in Brevard students,” said Janice Kershaw, President/CEO, Brevard Schools Foundation. “The STEM Classroom Makeover Grants at Port Malabar and Coquina Elementary Schools will ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math in young learners and open new pathways for their futures. Partnerships like this are essential to preparing our students for the careers of tomorrow and strengthening our community as a whole.”

The winning schools in Brevard County are:

1. Port Malabar Elementary School – Palm Bay, FL
2. Coquina Elementary School – Titusville, FL

Each school will have one year to redesign and revitalize their classrooms, infusing them with cutting-edge technological resources, modern equipment and hands-on learning materials. From virtual reality and 3D printers to robotics kits and interactive displays, these schools will purchase the supplies they need to foster a dynamic learning environment that encourages critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills.

“At FPL, we believe in the power of education and the endless possibilities that STEM learning can unlock for students. We are incredibly excited to witness the creativity and growth that will flourish in each of the schools that receive these game-changing grants,” said Pam Rauch, FPL Vice President of External Affairs and Economic Development. “We strongly believe that STEM education is the cornerstone of a prosperous future, and these grants will serve as a catalyst for fostering innovation, curiosity and lifelong learning in our communities. We are honored to be able to grow the program to the benefit of even more students.”

Now in its fourth year, FPL’s STEM Classroom Makeover Grant program, through its charitable arm the NextEra Energy Foundation, provides $50,000 grants for eligible Florida schools to offer transformational learning for economically disadvantaged students in K-12 Title 1 public, charter or private schools or for schools serving a minimum of 40% economically disadvantaged students. Funds are available to address technology or resources that will advance STEM curricula, exposure and careers to diverse students in a classroom setting.

Previous Classroom Makeover Grant winners from Brevard include:

• Endeavour Elementary School – Cocoa, FL

For more information on FPL’s educational programs, visit FPL.com/Education.

Florida Power & Light Company

As America’s largest electric utility, Florida Power & Light Company serves more customers and sells more power than any other utility, providing clean, affordable, reliable electricity to more than 6 million accounts, or approximately 12 million people. FPL operates one of the most fuel efficient and cleanest power generation fleets in the U.S and in 2022 won the ReliabilityOne® National Reliability Award for the seventh time in the last ten years. The company was also recognized by Escalent in 2022 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities for the ninth consecutive year. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.