Duke Energy Foundation Ignites the Workforce With $740,000 in Grants to Florida’s Educational Institutions and Universities
Duke Energy Foundation Ignites the Workforce With $740,000 in Grants to Florida’s Educational Institutions and Universities AccessWire
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18 Florida-based organizations receive significant investments to support new programming, sustainability and resiliency initiatives, direct scholarships for students at all educational levels to support Florida’s growing workforce
ST. PETERSBURG, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 26, 2024 / The Duke Energy Foundation has announced $740,000 in grants to support 18 education-based organizations to continue Duke Energy Florida’s investment in education and future workforce needs statewide.
The resources will fund a variety of energy and engineering initiatives to benefit a diverse population of students. Grantees will be hosting career exploration field trips and summer camps for K-12 students, providing resources for teachers to expand educational programming and encouraging energy and resiliency research opportunities among Florida universities.
“Education can spark a lifelong interest in a given field,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “It’s a privilege to support so many unique initiatives this year aimed at reaching individual students with new opportunities that can drive a career and love for energy, engineering and climate resiliency.”
University of Florida (UF)
University of Florida (UF) received a $75,000 grant to support three energy-focused, education initiatives that will directly impact students in these fields. One of which, the “Energy Education, Mentoring and Scholarship Program,” will enable participation in scholarship, educational and research opportunities for a diverse group of energy-focused students. Through this program, eight engineering students interested in the energy sector will receive $2,000 Duke Energy Scholar awards.
Additionally, the University will be creating a Sustainable and Resilient Energy Engineering Certificate (SREEC) to encourage student-led research using solar measurement and conversion infrastructure installed at the UF Energy Research Park.
“UF is committed to employing community-focused strategies to spur economic and workforce development across Florida,” said Maria Gutierrez Martin, UF Foundation associate vice president. “Our shared work is helping high school and middle school students increase their understanding of the energy grid, prepping college students for careers in solar energy and supporting five Florida communities as they plan for an environmentally resilient future.”
Volusia County
In Volusia County, FUTURES Foundation will use a $30,000 grant to increase student engagement in three different initiatives within Volusia County Schools. These programs are focused on energy design studies: solar/alternative, electrical and plant.
“FUTURES is grateful for the consistent support provided by Duke Energy. This grant will allow students to participate in STEM programs at Rose Bay,” said Shimene Shepard, FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools executive director. “Although we are a coastal community, this is often the first opportunity these students have to be on the water.”
List of Grant Recipients
- Citrus County Education Foundation
- Consortium of Florida Education Foundation
- Education Foundation of Lake County
- Foundation for Orange County Public Schools
- Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools
- FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools
- Highlands County Education Foundation
- Jefferson County Education Foundation
- Madison County Education Foundation
- Orlando Science Center
- Pinellas County Education Foundation
- Polk County Education Foundation
- Seminole State College of Florida
- Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University
- Florida Polytechnic University
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida
- University of South Florida
For more information about the Duke Energy Foundation, please visit duke-energy.com/community/duke-energy-foundation/Florida.
About Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
About Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
Media contact: Audrey Stasko
Media line: 800.559.3853
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View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com.
Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Duke Energy
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE: Duke Energy
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the Duke Energy Foundation’s grants to education-based organizations in Florida to support energy and engineering initiatives, career exploration, educational programming, and research opportunities. These initiatives are directly connected to SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Additionally, the focus on energy and engineering aligns with SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The grants also contribute to SDG 8 by promoting economic growth and job opportunities in the energy and engineering sectors. The article mentions the creation of a Sustainable and Resilient Energy Engineering Certificate, which relates to SDG 9’s target of promoting sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation. Finally, the emphasis on resiliency research and planning for an environmentally resilient future aligns with SDG 13’s target of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
- SDG 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
- SDG 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
The article mentions initiatives that aim to provide equal access to quality education in energy and engineering fields, which aligns with SDG 4.3. The grants also support the development and implementation of renewable energy technologies, contributing to SDG 7.2. The emphasis on energy and engineering initiatives, as well as the creation of a Sustainable and Resilient Energy Engineering Certificate, aligns with SDG 8.2 and SDG 9.5. Finally, the focus on resiliency research and planning for an environmentally resilient future contributes to SDG 13.1.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of students participating in career exploration field trips and summer camps
- Number of teachers using expanded educational programming resources
- Number of energy-focused students participating in scholarship, educational, and research opportunities
- Number of engineering students receiving Duke Energy Scholar awards
- Number of universities offering Sustainable and Resilient Energy Engineering Certificate
- Number of students engaged in energy design studies
- Number of communities planning for an environmentally resilient future
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include the number of students participating in career exploration field trips and summer camps, the number of teachers using expanded educational programming resources, the number of energy-focused students participating in scholarship, educational, and research opportunities, the number of engineering students receiving Duke Energy Scholar awards, the number of universities offering the Sustainable and Resilient Energy Engineering Certificate, the number of students engaged in energy design studies, and the number of communities planning for an environmentally resilient future.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university. | – Number of students participating in career exploration field trips and summer camps – Number of teachers using expanded educational programming resources |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | – Number of energy-focused students participating in scholarship, educational, and research opportunities – Number of engineering students receiving Duke Energy Scholar awards |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation. | – Number of universities offering Sustainable and Resilient Energy Engineering Certificate |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries. | – Number of universities offering Sustainable and Resilient Energy Engineering Certificate |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Number of communities planning for an environmentally resilient future |
Source: accesswire.com
