FirstEnergy Corp. has awarded Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) grants totaling more than $25,000 to 17 Pennsylvania teachers representing 15 educator-submitted projects. 

The grants will be used for a variety of hands-on projects, workshops and teacher development programs in communities served by FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania utilities.

The grant winners, their schools and projects are:

-- Kathleen Drake, Custer City Private School, Custer City – Exploring conductors, insulators and circuits

-- Kelly Strotman, St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School, Bradford – A variety of STEM projects

-- Amanda Lasky, Cathedral Preparatory School, Erie – Solar-powered cars

-- Todd Keruskin, Elizabeth Forward School District, Elizabeth – Elementary hydroponics

-- Jackie Removcik, Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, Greensburg – Using littleBits® Electronic Kits to teach STEM concepts

-- Kristen Albright, Penns Valley Area School District, Spring Mills – Building circuit boards

-- Michelle Thomas, Kiski Area Upper Elementary, Apollo – Using GPS to teach STEM concepts

-- Rebecca Mosemann, Southern Fulton High School, Warfordsburg – How to wire a house

-- Mandy Pazer, Yough Intermediate School, Ruffs Dale – Circuits, sensors and solutions

-- Chad Goodman, Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, Latrobe – Residential electric training modules and simulators

-- Kathryn Keller, Margaret Bell Miller Middle School, Waynesburg – Four forces of flight

-- Kathy Gee, Bald Eagle Area School District, Wingate – Generate more power through innovation and discovery

-- Jenn Landsberg and Jen Joyce, Franklin Regional Middle School, Murrysville – Sustainable resources research project

-- Sharon Baillie, Burgettstown Middle/High School, Burgettstown – Learning about circuits, conductors and insulators

-- Stephanie Bourbakis and Alissa Nardone, Burgettstown Area Elementary Center, Burgettstown – DeSTEMber: A festival of lights

"FirstEnergy has long supported educational activities in communities served by our Pennsylvania utilities, particularly those that encourage students to pursue careers in the critical fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said Linda L. Moss, president of Pennsylvania operations for FirstEnergy.  "We are pleased to provide assistance to several STEM projects this year that support our students, schools and educators as they work to help build a strong workforce for the future." 

FirstEnergy offers grants up to $1,000 to individual teachers and administrators at schools served by its electric utility operating companies and in communities where it has facilities. 

Grant recipients are recommended by local educators who make up FirstEnergy's Educational Advisory Council.  As part of the program, recipients must furnish a written summary and evaluation of their projects that can be shared with other educators in FirstEnergy's service area.

FirstEnergy’s service area in Pennsylvania includes: West Penn Power, Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn Power.

12/7/2015