FPL announces $50,000 classroom makeover grants for Florida schools

Broward County, Florida – The school year has begun, and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is launching a $50,000 classroom upgrade for five qualifying schools in Florida, showcasing its ongoing dedication to STEM education.

“At FPL, we believe that knowledge is power and that by enriching students’ experiences in STEM, we can help break down barriers to opportunity and drive interest in furthering their education and future opportunities in STEM fields,” said Kate Cotner, director of community engagement for FPL. “FPL is committed to supporting our next generation of leaders and innovators, and we do this through a number of initiatives including supporting STEM programs and providing grants for schools and teachers.”

The Classroom Enhancement Grants stem from a $2 million, four-year pledge by the philanthropic division of the company, the NextEra Energy Foundation. This is to augment the engagement of under-represented learners in STEM and catalyze their enthusiasm for STEM professions. The grants can be used to modernize STEM classrooms with novel facilities, technology, or tools, encompassing software, apparatus, literature, and educator training.

Schools of all types—public, private, and charter—and across all educational stages are welcome to participate. The awardees will be declared later in 2023. Some of the past beneficiaries are:

• Cypress Run Education Center School in Pompano Beach, which revitalized its digital technology studio with advanced TV production tools, coding, and robotics kits.
• Educational spaces at Lauderdale Lakes Middle School in Lauderdale Lakes and Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale are currently being revamped, with the completion anticipated by the beginning of next year.