FPL supports Florida students with curriculum-based programs

Emphasis on STEM education helps tomorrow's engineers and scientists

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Aug 20, 2014, 10:30 ET

JUNO BEACH, Fla., Aug. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Power & Light Company today announced its 2014-2015 education programs for Florida teachers and students in the 35 counties it serves. Research has shown that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education is not only linked to success in the field but also helps to instill creative problem-solving skills in students, which is critical to careers in engineering, science and research. FPL's programs provide the support and encouragement for greater adoption of STEM curricula in the classroom.

"FPL is proud to help Florida educators teach STEM classes in a hands-on environment that fosters a curiosity to learn more," said Pamela Rauch, FPL vice president of Development and External Affairs. "Whether it's through a teacher grant or a robotics program, FPL hopes to engage and create interest among Florida students in programs that teach engineering skills as well as teamwork, collaboration, creativity and other vital talents to succeed in tomorrow's competitive work environment."

For the 2014-2015 school year, FPL offers the following:

Teacher Grants (K-12)
All teachers in the 35 counties that FPL serves are eligible to apply for grants to fund classroom projects focused on any form of energy or engineering education. Grants are awarded in increments of $500 to $1,000. To date, FPL has awarded more than $175,000 for teacher grant projects throughout its service territory. The awards come from the NextEra Energy Foundation, which is funded by shareholders of FPL's parent company, NextEra Energy, Inc., the nation's largest producer of renewable energy from the wind and the sun. The application deadline is Nov. 15. Winners will be announced in December. Learn more here.

Science Fairs & Competitions (K-12)

FPL supports science fairs as a way to inspire young minds and future scientists and engineers. School districts in FPL's service territory that are interested in support for their fair or a science competition should contact Maureen Wilt at [email protected].

Traveling School Assembly Program (K-5)

FPL has partnered with the National Theatre for Children to offer this free, live school show to help teach young students about electricity. "Men in Plaid: The Kilowatt Connection" is a fun-filled show that helps K-5 students understand the basics of energy conservation. Nearly 100,000 students annually are entertained and informed by the free traveling school assembly show. To schedule a show, call 800-858-3999, ext. 1 or click here to find out more about these free school performances.

Robotics Programs (9-12)

In an ongoing effort to drive student engagement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum, FPL is a major supporter of robotics programs. The company funds established and start-up robotics clubs throughout its 35-county service territory. FPL has sponsored 30 robotics programs to date and hopes to double the number in the coming year. Additionally, FPL continues to sponsor the South Florida FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics regional competition held every spring in South Florida. To learn more about funding opportunities, contact Maureen Wilt at [email protected].

Florida Power & Light Company

Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving approximately 4.7 million customer accounts across nearly half of the state of Florida. As of year-end 2013, FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 25 percent lower than the national average and the lowest in Florida among reporting utilities. FPL's service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among utilities nationwide. The company was recognized in 2014 as the most trusted U.S. electric utility by Market Strategies International, and has earned the national ServiceOne Award for outstanding customer service for an unprecedented 10 consecutive years. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,900 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit www.FPL.com.

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SOURCE Florida Power & Light Company