Powering Student Potential Through STEM: Thank You, Duke Energy

At the Foundation for OCPS, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to explore, create, and discover a future filled with possibility. That journey often begins in the classroom—with a teacher who has an innovative idea and the resources to bring it to life.

That is why we are incredibly grateful to the Duke Energy Foundation for investing $75,000 in the Foundation for OCPS as part of its statewide commitment to strengthening STEM education across Florida. As one of 22 organizations selected through Duke Energy Foundation’s recent $773,000 investment, this generous support will help expand hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning opportunities for Orange County Public Schools students through our Teacher Impact Grant Program.

Through the Foundation’s Duke Energy STEM Teacher Impact Grants, educators are empowered to transform bold ideas into engaging classroom experiences. From engineering challenges and robotics to coding, renewable energy exploration, and real-world problem solving, these grants equip teachers with the tools they need to inspire curiosity and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce.

Every innovative lesson funded through this partnership represents more than a classroom project—it represents a student discovering a passion, building confidence, and seeing new possibilities for their future.

Doubling the Impact

We are also deeply appreciative of the Florida School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program, administered through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. This program helps maximize private philanthropy by providing matching funds for eligible education foundation grants, allowing investments like Duke Energy’s to reach even more students and educators across Florida.

When corporate partners and state leaders work together, the result is greater opportunity for students and stronger support for the educators who inspire them every day.

Investing in Boundless Futures

Strong communities are built through strong partnerships. Duke Energy’s continued commitment to education demonstrates what is possible when businesses invest in the next generation of innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers.

To Duke Energy, thank you for believing in the boundless potential of our students and the creativity of our educators.

To the Florida Legislature and the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program, thank you for recognizing the value of public-private partnerships that amplify impact in our schools.

Together, we are empowering teachers, inspiring students, and creating boundless futures—one classroom at a time.