Flint Energies and its philanthropic arm, the Flint Energies Foundation, recently awarded $4,000 worth of educational grants to two schools in their service territory for creative and innovative lesson plans through the Co-op’s Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead program.
The Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead program distributes two grants of $2,000 each for schools to implement imaginative projects with their students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and/or mathematics. The grants are not available for professional development, SmartBoard, iPad or subscription service requests. This year’s winners are Morningside Elementary School in Perry and Schley County Elementary School in Ellaville.
“Flint Energies supports education through the Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead program by providing much needed funds to educators and schools,” says Blair Brown, Cooperative Communications Specialist. “We at Flint believe in the importance of introducing S.T.E.A.M. based projects and activities to children of all ages, with hopes of encouraging their interests and future career goals.”
In February, Flint Energies and the Foundation invited school administrators of grades Pre-K through 12 at public or private schools located in the Co-op’s service territory to apply for the grant. Flint Energies’ service area encompasses parts of Bibb, Chattahoochee, Crawford, Dooly, Harris, Houston, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Muscogee, Peach, Schley, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Twiggs and Upson counties. Flint received 27 grant applications by the March 6 deadline. A panel of retired educators and community S.T.E.A.M./S.T.E.M. professionals served as judges and reviewed the blind applications. The top scoring project ideas were funded. All grant money for this program comes from unclaimed capital credits designated for educational programs.
2020 Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead Grant Winners:
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Morningside Elementary School, Perry, submitted by Debbie Dickens, S.T.E.A.M. Centers
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Schley County Elementary School, Ellaville, submitted by Jennifer Smith, S.T.E.A.M. Studios
Morningside Elementary School – S.T.E.A.M. Centers
The S.T.E.A.M. Centers project will allow students to show their creativity in diverse ways. Activity tubs will be available in the library for teachers of all grades to check out and conduct lessons with their classes. By using hands-on activities, students will be engaged in their learning using materials such as Magna-Tiles, Snap Circuits, Gravity Maze, K’nex, Tinker Toys, Squigz, Snap Cubes, gear-building sets and marble runs. When students are actively using hands-on manipulatives, the engagement level greatly increases, and more learning takes place.
Schley County Elementary School – S.T.E.A.M. Studios
The S.T.E.A.M. Studios project encompasses using both the animated filmmaking technique called stop motion and the use of a green screen visual effects technique for the enhancement of academic curriculum in grades kindergarten through fifth. Multiple science and math standards can be taught through these filmmaking methods, bringing to life what can be challenging concepts for students. Stop motion and green screen projects are very engaging and appealing to students, as they embrace the filmmaking medium to show what they know. Storytelling, planning, designing, filming and producing a film delves into four C’s of 21st century learning: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication.
The S.T.E.A.M. Studios project will be included in the Inspire classroom, where students in kindergarten through fifth grade visit once a week.
About the Flint Energies Foundation.
The Flint Energies Foundation, a state-chartered, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, disburses all contributions to approved projects; member contributions are not used for administration costs. Foundation Board members include Chairman Kathy Waites, Fort Valley; Vice Chairman Joanne Hamlin, Lizella; Secretary Connie McCutchen, Midland; Treasurer John Luppino, Warner Robins; Gina Fink, Kathleen; Charles Harrison, Grovania; Pat Bartness, Warner Robins; Traci Kemp, Warner Robins; Rudy Killingsworth, Buena Vista; Eloise Doty, Butler and Betty Chase, Oglethorpe.
Funding applications are available by contacting Flint Energies at 1.800.342.3616 or visiting the My Community section of www.flintenergies.com.
About Flint Energies
Flint Energies is a not-for-profit electric cooperative owned by its members in parts of 17 central Georgia counties. Flint employs 233 employees and serves more than 91,700 electric meters. We are 100% locally controlled and democratically governed by nine Directors elected from among the membership. In 1937, Flint Energies was created to bring people together to meet common needs like reliable electric energy, and our mission remains focused on improving the quality of life in Middle Georgia. Flint Energies is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Follow Flint on Twitter and Facebook.