FirstEnergy Corp. is offering education grants for creative classroom projects planned for the 2014-2015 school year within it service territories, including Penn Power, West Penn Power, Met-Ed and Penelec in Pennsylvania.

Applications are due September 19.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Classroom Grants of up to $500 will be awarded for teacher professional-development initiatives and creative, individual classroom projects for grades prekindergarten through 12. 

The grants are available to educators and youth group leaders located in communities served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies, and in communities where the company has facilities or does business.

"By supporting innovative classroom learning, FirstEnergy aims to encourage students and teachers to explore the wide variety of career opportunities in the STEM fields of study while promoting professional development for educators in these critical areas," said Delores Jones, manager, Community Initiatives for FirstEnergy.  "The students who benefit from these programs may use their knowledge someday working at FirstEnergy as engineers, scientists, accountants, analysts, information technologists and electricians."

Grants will be awarded based on the recommendations of the FirstEnergy Education Advisory Council.  Winners will be notified by October 13.

More than 1,000 STEM grants have been awarded to educators and youth group leaders since 1986.

For more information, visit the FirstEnergy STEM Grants webpage.

8/11/2014