The Carmel Education Foundation (CEF) recently received a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to support Carmel Clay Schools (CCS) in developing entrepreneurship and innovation skills by strengthening K-12 STEM opportunities.
(From left) Rhonda Peterson, Carmel Clay Schools Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and As-sessment; Jennifer Penix, Carmel Education Foundation Executive Director; Mark LaBarr, Duke Energy Community Relations Manager; Dr. Amy Dudley, Carmel Clay Schools Assistant Super-intendent; and Dr. Michael Beresford, Carmel Clay Schools Superintendent. (Photo provided)
CEF was created to help Carmel Clay students achieve their full potential. Since 1966, the Foundation has awarded over $2 million in college scholarships to Carmel High School seniors and over $850,000 in education grants to Carmel Clay students.
The grant funding provided by the Duke Energy Foundation will be used to expand and update a robotics program in each of the three middle schools, as well as Project Lead the Way Launch, curriculum centered on energy conversion and collision at the elementary level.
CEF Executive Director Jennifer Penix worked closely with Dr. Rhonda Peterson, CCS Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, to identify how this grant can best fulfill the foundation’s mission of supporting students in lifelong learning.
“Carmel Clay Schools prides itself in preparing students for college and career pathways that will serve the communities of tomorrow,” Peterson said. “With generous contributions from partners, like Duke Energy, we are able to provide students with authentic learning experiences within our K-12 STEM programming. These opportunities will help our students to gain the skills and curiosity needed to become the entrepreneurs and innovators of our future.”
CEF is instrumental in creating partnerships between CCS and community partners.
“Working with the Duke Energy Foundation to provide essential resources to our students is a win for everyone,” Penix said. “Duke Energy is a vital part of our community, and we appreciate their ongoing commitment to support our schools.”
Penix will continue to work with Mark LaBarr, Duke Energy’s Community Relations Manager, to create opportunities for student and teacher engagement in the exploration of career pathways for students related to energy and conservation.
“Duke Energy is pleased to support STEM and entrepreneurship being woven into learning to prepare tomorrow’s workforce,” LaBarr said. “As workers with those skills will be in demand.”