The Education Foundation of Lake County received a $10,000 grant from Duke Energy Foundation to create powerful communities in Lake County by helping to close the equity gap through robotics.

The Duke Energy grant is one of 22 grants – totaling $641,000 – that the utility company is investing in science, technology, engineering and math education programs, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion awareness across Florida.

“At our fourth annual VEX robotics scrimmage, teams from across the district will gain experience in math, coding, and engineering in a hands-on environment. By providing students with the opportunity to scrimmage against other teams in Lake County, we are closing the equity gap and giving students an opportunity to use their engineering skills in a competition setting,” said Carman Cullen-Batt, Executive Director of the Education Foundation of Lake County. “The scrimmages, which will take place in October 2022, will comprise of 32 elementary and middle school teams. The VEX robotics competition format will be followed and a VEX coordinator will assist with the event.”

“By investing in our local education foundations and the programs that ensure all students have access to robust STEM education, we are helping to create a vibrant economy,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Duke Energy is proud to support these programs and help even more students gain the hands-on, essential skills needed to pursue energy and engineering careers and become the next generation of leaders and problem solvers.”

To find out more information, please see the press release.