Careers in science, technology, engineering and math are not only for students who want to pursue advanced college degrees. There are also great, in-demand STEM jobs available in the trades.

To that end, the PPL Foundation has announced a $25,000 grant to Junior Achievement of South Central Pennsylvania to help fund its electrical competition at the organization's full-day STEM summits. Summits are held at high schools across the region at no cost to the school.

The purpose of the summits is to expose students to what STEM-related careers exist and what activities those jobs may entail. In the process, Junior Achievement hopes to help students discover something they may want to pursue after high school.

The Junior Achievement grant was one of more than 70 announced today (6/28) across the PPL service territory to support efforts to improve education, develop the future workforce and revitalize communities.

Of the $450,000 in grants awarded, more than $120,000 is being donated to nonprofit organizations in the south central Pennsylvania region.

'It's great to see the smiles and excitement of high school students working together during a STEM Summit activity,' said Jess Baker, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities. 'We're big believers in what Junior Achievement is doing to inspire students and help get them on a great path for their futures.'

Other examples of initiatives and projects that received support through the PPL Foundation Sustaining Grant program include:

  • The Common Wheel in Lancaster received $25,000 to support six different five-week sessions of its Earn-A-Bike hands-on, mechanical courses for children.

  • YouthBuild AmeriCorps, a program run by United Community Services for Working Families in Berks County, received a $19,500 grant for a YouthBuild Construction Lab. The new lab will allow young adults in the area who did not complete high school to acquire additional trade skills.

  • Penn State - Harrisburg received $8,500 for an engineering ambassadors program where college students will work with K-12 students on hands-on STEM projects.

  • New Hope Ministries in Dillsburg received $10,000 for training and educational programs designed to help people become job ready for open and in-demand positions in south central Pennsylvania.

In addition, grants went to the organizations below for the listed mission or program:

Dauphin County

  • Roller Education Foundation, Steelton ($6,000) - funding toward a STEM in a Tank aquaponic cart for students

  • Capital Economic Development Corp., Harrisburg ($2,500) - operating expenses toward its mission of creating and retaining jobs in its three-county region

    Cumberland County

  • Leadership, Education and Farming - L.E.A.F. Project, Carlisle ($5,000) - engaging young leaders through meaningful work on farms, working with chefs, and educating and feeding the community

    Lancaster County

  • Factory Ministries, Paradise ($5,000) - Pre-K Counts and Literacy Program for children

  • Fulton Theatre Company, Lancaster ($3,000) - Building Bridges program for pre-k students

  • Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity ($5,000) - building houses in the city of Lancaster

  • Milagro House, Lancaster ($7,000) - education, housing and counseling for women and their children who are experiencing homelessness

  • Mom's House, Lancaster ($5,000) - mentoring, counseling and support for young women working to further their education

Additionally, contributions were made to Lancaster Public Library, other libraries and literacy-focused organizations in support of Cover to Cover, PPL Foundation's initiative to improve child literacy through reading and summer learning programs.

A complete list of grant recipients is available online.

The PPL Foundation awards grants in spring and fall. The next grant cycle, for major grants, begins in August. To be considered for a grant, all organizations must apply online.

Please visit www.pplcares.com to learn more.

About the PPL Foundation: Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation supports organizations that are doing innovative and groundbreaking work to create vital, sustainable communities and empowering each citizen to fulfill her or his potential. The PPL Foundation contributes more than $2 million annually to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations in north and central Pennsylvania.

PPL Corporation published this content on 28 June 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 28 June 2017 13:49:08 UTC.

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