The Duke Energy Foundation announced it has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Education Foundation of Lake County to support the vitality of communities across Florida, including here in Lake County.
The grant is part a larger commitment from Duke Energy Florida and its Foundation to support the vitality of communities served. Funding will be directed to student participation in the district’s Robotics and Science Fair programs, particularly supporting critical resources that expand access to hands-on STEM learning opportunities. These programs help students develop skills essential for future success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers.
The support from Duke Energy will strengthen the Lake County Schools District Science Fair by helping cover student awards and essential volunteer support needed to successfully host the event. These investments ensure that students are recognized and celebrated for their scientific inquiry, creativity, and innovation while maintaining a high-quality competition experience.
The grant will directly support two Lake County Schools robotics teams that qualify for prestigious championships by covering registration costs of $1,800 per team. Funding will also help underwrite a district-wide Robotics Scrimmage, hosted by the Education Foundation of Lake County, on October 17, 2026. Students can test, refine, and improve their robot designs and competitive strategies in a real-world environment.
The combined Robotics and Science Fair initiative provides students with engaging, hands-on experiences that promote innovation and academic achievement. Through robotics competitions, students work collaboratively to design, build, and program robots for game-based challenges, applying concepts in electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering. The annual robotics scrimmage gives teams valuable practice and preparation with the ultimate goal of qualifying for and competing at a higher-level.
“By investing in robotics and science fair programs, the Duke Energy Foundation is helping students build critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and engineering skills that will serve them throughout their education and future careers,” said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson of the Education Foundation. “The partnership with Duke Energy is instrumental to creating meaningful experiences for our students & teachers. It’s one thing to teach a lesson, it’s another thing to bring the curriculum to life.”
Together, these investments will strengthen STEM programming throughout Lake County Schools, increase student engagement, and expand access to meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for college, careers, and lifelong success.
The Education Foundation is still actively seeking partnerships for the Robotics Scrimmage scheduled for October 17, 2026. Community partners are encouraged to reach out via e-mail to edfoundation@lake.k12.fl.us or explore ways to get involved & support: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/robotics26/event/sponsors/
About the Education Foundation of Lake County
Established in 1987, the Education Foundation of Lake County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the designated direct-support organization for Lake County Schools. Its mission is to serve as the connection between the community and public education—evaluating needs and securing resources to enhance the quality of education for local students and teachers through impactful programs, grants, and essential services. For more information on how to participate in the Core Tools for Schools drive, please visit www.edfoundationlake.com
