FAO Announces 2012 Duke Energy ICAN! Classroom Enrichment Mini-Grants Recipients
23 awards distributed to educatorsthroughout the region to connect students and business
Nelsonville, OH – In partnership with the Duke Energy Foundation, theFoundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is excited to announce the awarding of 23ICAN! Classroom Enrichment Mini-Grants for over $25,000 to support the effortsof teachers across the region in connecting their classrooms with Science,Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or Medicine (STEMM) related businesses andprofessions.
Distributed toK-12 educators with a wide range of innovative classroom goals, funding fromthese 23 grants will be used for hands-on learning initiatives that range fromtraining in meteorological forecasting or fuel cell related technology researchto health industry exploration – all with the common goal of introducing thenext generation of Appalachian Ohioans to important new career opportunities.Through collaboration with local businesses in the classroom or during classfield-trips, each grant will contribute a unique educational experience meantto engage students with essential skills and tools.
“Going forward,the path we take as a region will be determined by our commitment to educationand innovation,” said Cara Dingus Brook,FAO president and CEO. “This set of 23 mini-grants is a direct contribution tothose educators working on the front lines of the fight for student success andopportunity in Appalachian Ohio. We couldn’t be prouder to work alongside DukeEnergy as a partner in such a wonderful initiative.”
In the past, FAOhas heard from educators across the region about how important it is tointroduce students to potential career pathways, with an emphasis on theeducation needed for professional success. The 2012 ICAN! mini-grants willprovide unique opportunities for students to see a direct application of theircurrent studies in today’s dynamic workforce. In addition, students andeducators will capture these experiences on iPads so that what they learn aboutdifferent professions can be widely accessible to other students across theregion through a Virtual STEMM Platform.
“As a leader in innovation and technology, Duke Energyis excited to contribute to an initiative that focuses on so many importantcomponents of impactful classroom education,” said Karen Monday, vice presidentof the Duke Energy Foundation. “The career training and research aspect of thismini-grants program provides important vocational opportunities that eachstudent should experience before he or she chooses to move forward into the uniquechallenges of collegiate education or the workforce.”
For a complete list of all 2012 ICAN! Classroom Enrichment Mini-Grants or to learn more pleasevisit FAO’s website at www.appalachianohio.org
About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
TheFoundation for Appalachian Ohio is a regionalcommunity foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio with the mission of enriching theregion’s current and future quality of life. A 501(c)(3) publiccharity, the Foundation attracts contributions for programs and endowment,makes grants for charitable and civic purposes, and supports local efforts forpositive change. For more information about FAO, visit www.appalachianohio.org.
About Duke Energy
Duke Energy is the largestelectric power holding company in the United States with more than $100 billionin total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.1million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest.Its commercial power and international business segments own and operatediverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including agrowing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is aFortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK.More information about the company is available at: www.duke-energy.com.
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