PennEast Pipeline Company Wednesday announced its first class of PennEast Powering STEM Grant recipients, who will receive nearly $130,000 to advance the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in their local communities and within the footprint of the proposed PennEast Pipeline.

“PennEast was very happy with the overwhelmingly positive response we received to our Powering STEM Grant Program, demonstrating schools and educators across the region acknowledge our bright economic future thanks to abundant energy supplies,” said Pam Witmer of PennEast Pipeline Company. “From Wilkes-Barre, Pa., to Chatham, NJ, PennEast is excited to work with our STEM grant recipients to prepare individuals, young and old, to take advantage of the many opportunities affordable energy is delivering.”

Organizations receiving PennEast Powering STEM Grants include New Jersey’s Harvest Family Success Center, as well as Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem Area School District, Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Education Center, and the United Way of Bucks County.

“PennEast’s STEM Grant will expose our community to a host of innovative and inspiring STEM programs,” said Penni Trionfo, volunteer and resource coordinator for Harvest Family Success Center. “Many of the families we serve are low-income, and many of them don’t have access to STEM curriculum or aren’t aware of the career opportunities related to STEM. PennEast’s generosity will have an enormous impact on low-income families in our area and enable us to increase interest in STEM higher education and careers.”

In Pennsylvania, Bethlehem Area School District applied for a PennEast Powering STEM Grant to expand engineering courses through Project Lead the Way to its STEM curriculum.

“Bethlehem Area School District is proud to offer Project Lead The Way’s Engineering program – the best of its kind – to our students,” explained Jodi Frankelli of Bethlehem Area School District. “Thanks to PennEast’s generous Powering STEM Grant, we will be able to bolster the program and fund the costs of supplies and materials for roughly 40 students’ engineering projects. With PennEast’s support, we can continue to prepare students to be innovative and productive leaders in science, engineering and math and to make meaningful contributions to society.”

Craig Lukatch of Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Education Center explained PennEast’s grant will support the Education Center’s Pathways in Ecological Research program.

“Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Education Center is grateful for PennEast’s continued support and their ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and education,” said Lukatch. “The Pathways in Ecological Research (PiER) program promotes women in STEM and science careers, as well as in leadership positions. The program focuses on mentoring a diverse group of high-achieving female high school students, and PennEast’s grant will help us serve approximately 100 students. We couldn’t be more thankful for PennEast’s assistance.”

In Bucks County, Pa., PennEast’s Powering STEM Grant will support the United Way of Bucks County’s 2017 #girlSTEM Conference.

“The 2017 #girlSTEM Conference is funded entirely through grants and sponsorships, and wouldn’t be possible without the support of companies like PennEast,” said Katie Matarazzo of the United Way of Bucks County. “For most girls, the Conference is their first opportunity to visit a university and interact with professional women. PennEast’s Powering STEM Grant will enable the more than 800 girls attending from across Bucks County to experience a full day of STEM workshops – we couldn’t be more thankful.”

Additional PennEast Powering STEM Grant recipients include:

-- Allentown Central Catholic High School;

-- Cybersonics Technology Team (Palisades High School, Kintnersville, Pa.);

-- Governor’s STEM Scholars (New Jersey);

-- Lehigh Career & Technical Institute;

-- Lehigh Valley Zoological Society;

-- Minsi Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America Organization (Lehigh Valley, Pa.);

-- Moore Elementary (Bath, Pa.);

-- Roosevelt Elementary School (Allentown, Pa.);

-- Wilkes University; and

-- Wilkes-Barre Area School District.

For more information on the PennEast Powering STEM Grant Program webpage.

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[Posted: March 15, 2017]

3/20/2017