Pinellas County Schools receives $100k for sustainability education

Duke Energy Florida and the Duke Energy Foundation are supporting education in Pinellas County with a $100,000 grant to support learning programs focused on sustainability.

The funding will enhance Pinellas County Schools’ Future Cities program and the Stavros Institute’s Enterprise Village and Finance Park. The Gus A. Stavros Institute is a partnership between the Pinellas Education Foundation and Pinellas County Schools to provide “real life,” hands-on enterprise experiences for students. The goal is to give students opportunities to make decisions that will help them be better prepared to deal with adult life. 

The Future Cities program helps students in grades six through eight explore and create sustainable solutions around energy, land conservation and environmental issues. Through the program, middle school students imagine, research, design and build cities of the future that showcase their solution to a citywide sustainability issue.

In addition to supporting Future Cities, Duke Energy has renewed its sponsorship of the Stavros Institute’s Enterprise Village and Finance Park. These programs, which served more than 14,000 students last year, offer elementary and high school students from across Florida the opportunity to develop fundamental economic concepts, understand business-consumer relationships and learn about personal finance.

“Enterprise Village and Finance Park have grown into one of Pinellas County’s most popular destinations and innovative learning experiences,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, in a prepared statement. “Many of our employees and retirees have fond memories of Enterprise Village, visiting as students, volunteers or chaperones, which speaks to the lasting impact Pinellas Education Foundation programs have on our communities.”

Duke Energy Florida also upgraded its storefronts in Enterprise Village and Finance Park to reflect advancements in the energy sector, highlighting new energy efficiency jobs and tools, including thermal cameras, virtual reality experiences and renewable energy concepts. Duke Energy (previously Florida Power Corporation) has been a sponsor of Enterprise Village since its inception in 1989.

“This year, we are particularly excited they will be providing opportunities for students to explore and create sustainable solutions around energy and environmental issues,” said Kim Jowell, Pinellas Education Foundation chief executive officer, in a prepared statement. “Duke Energy exemplifies how investing in education enhances student learning experiences and drives academic success.”

Duke Energy Florida and the Duke Energy Foundation have supported Pinellas Education Foundation with more than $4 million in grants, donations and sponsorships over the past nearly four decades.