Empowering Educators Grants

PPL’s Empowering Educators grants are designed to support and encourage teachers to provide hands-on learning experiences in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

Teachers Win Big for STEM Education

2017-2018 Winners

Learn more about the types of grants we support by getting to know our most recent award recipients.

• Jessica Mauro, Alburtis Elementary School, Alburtis, PA: For supplies to develop inquiry-based projects that create future problem solvers.
• Kimberly Jacovelli, B.F. Morey Elementary, Stroudsburg, PA: For materials for the school’s MakerSpace, which is used by K-4 students.
• Lori Cirucci, Broughal Middle School, Bethlehem, PA: For supplies needed for students to design and build roller coasters, lessons that incorporate science concepts, technology, engineering and math.
• Lindsay Garrett, Columbia High School, Columbia, PA: For mBot robots that will introduce students to robotics and programming.
• Kathleen Alford, Crossroads Middle School, Lewisberry, PA: For STEM Discovery Boxes to get students excited about science and give them a starting point to continue to research on their own.
• Jeanne Ladner, Danville Middle School, Danville, PA – For a 3D printer that will teach students about AutoCad and the engineering design process.
• Cathy Tombasco, Drums Elementary Middle School, Drums, PA: For robotics education kits to introduce students to coding.
• Lynette Miller, Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary, Mifflintown, PA: For “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall; STEM Education is Fun for All!,” which introduces first graders to STEM subjects through the familiar stories in fairy tales.
• Mark Shellaway, Freemansburg Elementary, Bethlehem, PA: To expand the school’s MakerSpace and create an after-school STEM program.
• Sara Eastman, Governor Mifflin Intermediate School, Shillington, PA: For a student-led project to transform the school’s patio into an outdoor classroom using the engineering design process.
• Cait Clark and Yvonne Lessard, Hershey Early Childhood Center, Hershey, PA: To create STEM Bins that can be used as teacher directed lessons or self-directed exploration.
• Janelle Bingaman, Highland Elementary School, Camp Hill, PA: For Dash and Dot coding robots that teach students computer programming skills.
• Kayla Hack, Honesdale High School, Honesdale, PA: For “What came first, the chicken or the egg?,” a cross-curricular and cross-grade level life cycle science program.

• Ken Ehrmann, M.M. Seylar Elementary School, Perkasie, PA: For a 3D printer and Sphero robot that will teach students communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.
• Christine Harman, Marticville Middle School, Pequea, PA: For building sets that provide hands-on, engaging opportunities for students in designing and building machines to aide in understanding of topics such as force, energy and simple machines.
• Colleen Beavers, NativityMiguel School of Scranton, Scranton, PA: For “Exploring Local Fresh Water Ecosystems,” in which students will use the scientific method to study the health of local fresh water ecosystems and engage in a STEM design project intended to improve the quality of a local fresh water habitat.
• Shane Corrigan, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional, Coal Township, PA: For the Rocketry Club, which introduces students to the design and construction of original model rockets.
• Sean Flueso, Parkland High School, Allentown, PA: For an interactive project that teaches students about electrical engineering.
• Heather Aulisio, Pocono Mountain East High School, Swiftwater, PA: For a school-wide STEM fair for high school students.
• Matthew Wagoner, Red Land High School, Lewisberry, PA: To create a STEM lab where students can apply classroom theory to practical use.
• Samantha McKenna, Saint Columba School, Bloomsburg, PA: To set up a mobile STEM station with activity kits, math tools and materials for use by all students.
• Brent Kelchner, Southern Columbia Area Middle School, Catawissa, PA: For “Sustainable (Net-Zero Energy) Building Design Project” that will engage students in a real-world scenario where they work as a design team to design sustainable buildings.
• Jeff Bonsall, Strayer Middle School, Quakertown, PA: For the “Strayer Makers,” a design and engineering club for 7th and 8th grade students.
• Susan Strada, Wallenpaupack Area South Elementary, Hawley, PA: To launch a MakerSpace with a variety of STEM activities and materials for students in grades 3-5.
• Theresa Bartholomew, Warrior Run High School, Turbotville, PA: To bring computer science opportunities to our students through discovery and exploration.