Teachers, do you have a bright idea to spark your students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)? PPL would like to provide the funding power you need to bring that idea to life.

The PPL Empowering Educators program is designed to help K-12 teachers provide hands-on learning opportunities to enhance the classroom experience. Through these competitive grants, teachers can receive $1,000 in funding for educational projects, such as science fairs, energy conservation projects, renewable energy demonstrations, math competitions and more.

Last year, some of the projects that received funding ranged from building solar-powered cars to developing a school makerspace, a collaborative work space where students can explore and share innovative ideas.

The grants are open to K-12 teachers in school districts in the 29 Pennsylvania counties served by PPL.

To be eligible for an Empowering Educators grant, teachers must submit a contest application online at pplempoweringeducators.com.

This year, PPL will award $25,000 in Empowering Educators grants. Since the program’s inception in 2003, PPL has awarded more than $180,000 for projects in 118 schools near PPL facilities.

“At PPL, we focus on innovation and new technology to help us deliver the safe, reliable power our customers need. It takes skilled engineers and technicians to make this happen,” said Lissette Santana, manager of corporate relations for PPL. “By helping teachers spark their students’ interest in STEM today, we hope to power the innovative ideas and technical skills these students need to be a vital part of business and industry in the future.”

Twenty-five teachers will receive $1,000 for supplies to help make their projects a reality. Each team will be judged on its project proposal, its school need and potential overall impact.

The teams will celebrate their completed projects during a regional reception in June 2018.

Applications will be accepted online through Sept. 30. Grant recipients will be notified via email by Nov. 1. Each project must be completed by May 1, 2018. A final report must be submitted online by May 8, 2018.

Visit pplempoweringeducators.com to learn more.