$10,000 FPL Grant to Fuel Peer-Led STEM Learning in Volusia Classrooms

FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools has received a Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) EmPOWERing STEM Educators grant to bring peer-to-peer STEM learning to teachers in Volusia County Public Schools. Through classroom observation, collaborative planning and hands-on strategies, the statewide initiative gives educators time to learn from one another and strengthen math and science instruction.

Local projects are shaped around community needs, from strengthening core math and science teaching to expanding hands-on, career-connected STEM experiences.

"FPL's support gives our educators something that is often hard to create during the school year: dedicated time to learn from one another, try new approaches, and bring those ideas back to students," said Shimene Shepard, Executive Director of FUTURES Foundation. "That kind of teacher-to-teacher learning can strengthen instruction well beyond a single classroom, and we're deeply grateful to FPL for helping make it happen."

The Consortium of Florida Education Foundations manages the program, connecting local education foundations with a statewide framework while allowing each community to shape professional learning around local priorities. Since 2018, FPL has partnered with the Consortium to invest more than $750,000 in the initiative, supporting teacher collaboration and innovative STEM instruction across Florida.

"Teachers play a critical role in shaping the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers,” said Kate Cotner, FPL Director of Community Engagement. “By supporting educators with opportunities to collaborate, learn from one another, and strengthen STEM instruction, we're helping create engaging learning experiences that prepare students for future success.”

FPL also supports teachers and students through other programs such as its STEM Classroom Makeover Grants. These grants provide educators with $50,000 to transform their learning environments with cutting-edge technology and hands-on materials. The program has helped Florida teachers create dynamic, interactive classrooms that make science, technology, engineering and mathematics more engaging for their students. Applications open this fall. You can learn more about FPL's other education initiatives by visiting FPL.com/Education.

The funding will continue to support STEM-focused teacher peer-to-peer learning opportunities, with direction and leadership from Volusia County School District STEM Specialist Amy Monahan. This year’s project will establish dedicated STEM Cadres for elementary and middle school mathematics and science teachers. Through collaborative lesson design, classroom implementation, peer observation, and structured reflection, teachers will build a shared repository of high-quality STEM lessons aligned to Florida standards.

To learn more about FUTURES’ work to support educators, visit www.FUTURESvolusia.org

FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools

Founded in 1985, FUTURES is a nonprofit, direct support organization for Volusia County Schools. Its mission is to engage business, civic, and district leaders to promote and achieve educational excellence for Volusia County Public Schools. FUTURES’s 30-member board of directors consists of area leaders who direct and raise funds to facilitate a variety of programs in the school district. For more information about FUTURES Foundation, please contact Shimene Shepard, Executive Director, at (386) 255-6475, extension 50730, or futuresfoundation@volusia.k12.fl.us.

Florida Power & Light Company    
Florida Power & Light Company is America’s largest electric utility, delivering reliable power to more than 6 million customer accounts — serving approximately 12 million people across Florida. By leveraging a diverse energy mix, including nuclear, natural gas, solar and battery storage, FPL operates one of the most fuel- and cost-efficient power generation fleets in the U.S. and has earned the ReliabilityOne® National Reliability Award for seven of the last ten years. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), which is one of the largest electric power and energy infrastructure companies in North America and is a leading provider of electricity to American homes and businesses. NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is advancing America’s energy future with one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of power generation and infrastructure solutions. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.