New grants from Rocky Mountain Power concentrate on education and STEM learning
SALT LAKE CITY — Research shows that learning happens best when social, emotional and cognitive growth are connected. High-quality, evidence-based programs are also critical to positive academic outcomes, better attendance and improved graduation rates. That’s why Rocky Mountain Power puts funding and resources behind schools and organizations that work toward these goals and open the doors of opportunity for learners of all ages.
The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, a nonprofit arm of Rocky Mountain Power, is donating more than $460,000 in new grant funding across the three states it serves to support organizations that provide education and STEM learning opportunities. From financial literacy classes and early educational intervention programs to last-minute childcare centers that can help parents attend a job interview or work an extra shift, the grants underwrite a wide variety of much needed and helpful resources in large and small communities.
“These organizations are seeing the needs and doing the important work of supporting families and community members,” said Gary Hoogeveen, president and CEO, Rocky Mountain Power. “It is an honor to augment their work and to know the charitable investments of Rocky Mountain Power are building resiliency and boosting the growth and vitality of the communities we serve.”
The latest round of education grants aligns closely with the priorities Rocky Mountain Power places on enhancing access and availability of STEM programs, especially to underserved populations, and learning supports for youth and adults both inside and outside of the classroom. These education and STEM grants are one of the four grant cycles offered by the foundation annually.
The following grants were given to 91 local organizations supporting communities in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho:
Utah
Wasatch Front
Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County to employ AmeriCorps members as STEM specialists to provide high-quality STEM learning opportunities and resources to underserved students.
English Skills Learning Center to support the Adult Emergent Reader program that teaches foundational literacy skills to adults learning to read and write for the first time in English.
Fathers & Families Coalition of Utah to support the Jobs Work program for youth that teaches career skills such as resume writing and time management, provides paid food-service internships and helps with finding employment.
Friends of the Children—Utah for the implementation of age-appropriate educational programming, including hands-on STEM activities, for youth ages 4-9 and their mentors to engage in together to improve academic progress.
Friends of Tracy Aviary for Nature at Home kits for libraries that provide hands-on, outdoor activities to help families learn about STEAM subjects such as birds, nature sounds, plants and soil ecosystems, and nature art.
Guadalupe School for the creation of a large, outdoor STEAM classroom designed to encourage hands-on learning in science, math, engineering, technology and art, and also for the Early Learning Center program that provides early educational intervention for families and children from low-income households to ensure children are kindergarten ready.
HawkWatch International for translating the Raptor Ecology education program into Spanish, for providing professional development workshops to help teachers incorporate the program into classrooms, and for technology to also host the program online.
Humane Society of Utah for the Humane Education Program that helps K-12 students learn about the proper care of animals.
Indigenous International to help the Ute Ouray Nation to partner with Uintah River High School to create an indoor hydroponics garden system to offer year-round fresh fruits and vegetables on the reservation.
Junior Achievement of Utah to provide JA in-class programs that help students learn about financial literacy, free enterprise, business and economics, and to sponsor the JA BizTown where students in grade 5 and grade 8 interact in a simulated town and learn what it means to create a resume, apply for a job and run a business for a day.
The Literacy Project for a game-based literacy program that empowers second and third-grade students experiencing poverty to move toward grade-level reading proficiency.
Natural History Museum of Utah for the Teen Explainers program that hires students ages 14-18 to develop educational content for museum visitors and provides them the opportunity to learn more about natural sciences, improve their science communication skills and gain real-world job skills.
Paradigm Schools to support professional development of STEAM teachers so they can help students achieve greater mastery in those subjects.
Playworks Education Energized to help increase opportunities for healthy play, physical activity and social-emotional learning to improve the health and well-being of area youth.
The Ron McBride Foundation for quality after-school programs in Title 1 schools to help vulnerable, at-risk children gain the skills and mentorship to succeed in their academic and personal lives.
Salt Lake Astronomical Society to help purchase and adapt telescopes and provide them to libraries so they are accessible to all families who want to learn about the stars, planets and galaxies.
Salt Lake Community College Foundation for need-based scholarships to help welding and electronic engineering technology students earn college credentials and move to solid careers.
The Sammy Center to support a social-emotional learning program to help children ages 3 to 5 who have experienced grief, trauma or loss.
Shropshire Music Foundation to provide a free music education program to help young refugees and children address war-related and poverty-related emotional trauma and developmental needs, and to also help fund an online ukulele program that serves teachers and frontline healthcare workers coping with the stress of the global pandemic.
TABC Book Drop to put books in the hands of students living in poverty and sponsor author visits to Title 1 schools to inspire children’s dreams.
Uintah Basin Applied Technology College Foundation for scholarship support to help rural and isolated students complete their education and start careers in technical fields.
University of Utah College of Mines and Earth Sciences to expand the Rocky Mountain Power Scholarship Program to help more students to graduate in mining engineering, metallurgical engineering, atmospheric sciences, geology and geophysics so they are prepared for complex STEM careers.
University of Utah College of Science for the ACCESS Program, a year-long, outcome-proven scholarship and research program, to support gender equality in STEM fields by empowering more women to pursue science, engineering and mathematics degrees.
University of Utah David Eccles School of Business for the Opportunity Scholars Program that provides scholarships and support to first-generation, low-income and underrepresented student populations.
University of Utah—KUER for production costs for critical, local Utah news and information programming statewide that connects urban and rural areas and promotes civic dialogue.
University of Utah—PBS Utah to support the PBS Kids 24/7 channel that shares free educational content that sparks curiosity and a love of learning, helping prepare every child for success in school and life.
University of Utah Rehabilitation Center to help undergraduate and graduate students develop assistive technology to improve independence and quality of life for individuals with complex physical disabilities.
University of Utah—University Neighborhood Partners to support diverse education pathways and programs offered at the Hartland Education Pathways Center.
Utah Clean Energy for energy-efficiency educational exhibits at the Utah Climate Innovation Center.
Utah Rail Passengers Association for a Rail Class Program at the University of Utah, including a nine-day rail trip, to help educate citizens and policy makers about the value of rail transportation.
Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Education Foundation for assistive devices and technology as well as extracurricular programs that enhance the students’ development and growth.
Utah Science Teachers Association to support professional development for rural and underserved science teachers to enhance STEM teaching.
Utah Valley University Foundation to provide advanced technology to support capstone projects in augmented and virtual reality for Web Design & Development students at Utah Valley University, and for creating virtual reality experiences to help at-risk fifth grade students struggling with classroom reading and increase learning and comprehension.
Westminster College Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for sponsorship of the B.W. Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture Series for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Westminster College School of Arts and Sciences for Science Saturday workshops, presented in collaboration with the American Association of University Women, designed to engage and inspire middle and high school students on STEM topics.
WGU Advancement to support workforce development through the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation Utah College Readiness Fund that provides scholarship support for students of color, low-income individuals, rural students and/or first-generation college students at WGU Academy.
WHOlives to hire a school assembly ambassador who combines empathy training and STEM subjects to help students learn about the need for clean water in the developing world and technical and economic solutions.
Youthlinc for the Real Life after-school tutoring and life skills peer mentoring program that works with teenagers with refugee or immigrant status in Utah.
Northern Utah
Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis for after-school and summer youth development programs for ages 5-12 that integrate educational activities and a targeted support system to increase academic success, social-emotional skills, healthy living and college and career readiness.
Davis Technical College Foundation to help fund scholarships for low-to-moderate income students, and for a welding technology course for students at Red Barn Farms, a residential life-skills academy.
Family Support Center of Ogden for the creation of a new, accessible play area to provide a safe and fun place for children visiting The Kids Zone, which provides free childcare and crisis care as needed.
Farmington High School to expand the in-school aviary, including an outdoor exhibit for raptors, where students expand their science knowledge and gain real-world job training as they care for over two dozen birds.
Friends of the Weber/Morgan Children’s Justice Center for continued training for the Multi-Disciplinary Team that aids in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases.
Ogden-Weber Technical College Foundation to help fund scholarships for non-traditional students in STEM-related fields of electrical trades, business, or information technology programs.
Open Doors to help individuals and families break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and become self-reliant.
United Way of Northern Utah for the AmeriCorps Student Success Program that provides one-on-one academic tutoring and social/emotional support to at-risk students in 80 schools.
Utah Neighborhood Connection for an after-school program that offers students academic and behavioral support in a safe, positive, fun environment.
Utah State University Extension Box Elder 4-H to support the Box Elder 4-H STEM program including a kick-off night and summer camp designed to engage youth through fun STEM activities.
Weber State University for scholarship support for students majoring in Electrical Engineering or Electronics Engineering Technology.
Weber State University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry to aid students studying zircons, some of the oldest rocks on earth, with research fellowships, equipment, supplies and travel expenses to conduct field research.
Youth Impact for the Tackling Intergenerational Poverty program that provides K-12 students with free after school activities, tutoring, community service activities, athletics, healthy meals, transportation and one-on-one mentorship to help them succeed in life.
Park City
Park City Community Foundation to provide free, monthly books to all young children in Summit County through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to build a love of reading, promote important brain development and create positive interactions and bonding between caregivers and children during reading.
PC Tots to help provide childcare tuition subsidies to low-income workforce families to ensure a solid start for young children and support working parents.
Cache Valley
Utah State University College of Engineering for undergraduate engineering scholarships and also to support Engineering State, an intensive, four-day program designed to encourage high school juniors and seniors to pursue careers in engineering, science, math and technology.
Southern Utah
American Indian Services for the AIS Pre-Freshman Engineering Program, a six-week summer school that immerses Native American students in grades 7-9 in the worlds of STEM, sparking their interest in college and career paths.
Canyon Country Discovery Center to support writing education through the Canyon Country Youth Corps to help young adults with career development.
Emery County Community Theater for a summer theater program where youth ages 8 to 14 learn acting, stage make-up, set production and more as they rehearse and perform an original play.
FutureINDesign for the FIND Creative STEAM Career Pathway training program to help underserved high school and college students become innovative members of Utah’s digital workforce.
Grand County School District for staffing, mentor training, activity supplies, professional development, curriculum resources and other program operations to support student success.
Green River PACT for reroofing the youth center facility housing K-6 programs that provide a safe, welcoming space for local youth.
Science Moab to support School to Science, an innovative program that exposes high school students to scientific careers by providing job shadows and internships with scientists in the field and the lab.
Snow College Foundation to provide scholarships for four first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds who are interested in STEM careers.
Southern Utah University to support the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation First Generation Scholarships that helps students, many from low-income backgrounds, complete their college degrees.
Southwest Tech Foundation to support scholarships at Southwest Technical College to help students, many from low-income and at-risk situations, become successful skilled workers.
University of Utah—Rural & Underserved Utah Training Experience (RUUTE) for Teen Science Cafe programs in five rural or underserved communities in Utah to help teens explore the big advances in science and technology that are affecting their lives.
Utah State University Extension Sevier County Office for family fun activity kits, containing supplies and instructions for a family meal, an indoor activity and an outdoor activity, to be distributed at 15 summer lunch sites throughout Sevier County.
Wyoming
Eastern Wyoming
Ark Regional Services to support the Language Arts and Literacy Program that will provide an inclusive and diverse learning environment for 80 adults with developmental disabilities living in Albany County.
Junior Achievement—Rocky Mountain for support of JA financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness programs for grades K-12 throughout Wyoming.
Quantum Science Camp at Casper College to help cover expenses in a program that brings a physicist to work with local high school students.
Raising Readers in Wyoming for the purchase of new books that will be distributed for free to children throughout the state, including families experiencing low incomes, Native American children and children from racial and ethnic minority groups.
University of Wyoming Foundation for curriculum and programs that promote community engagement and to support today’s and foster tomorrow’s workforce.
Wee Folks Place for scholarships to provide more families with low incomes access to preschool education.
Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom to support Wyoming Stewardship Project professional development training for teachers so they can help students in grades 2-5 learn about Wyoming’s natural resources and economy.
Wyoming Women’s Business Center to provide education and counseling for Wyoming entrepreneurs, especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged.
Western Wyoming
Central Wyoming College Foundation for the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation Scholarship to help support students pursuing degrees in STEM fields.
Children’s Discovery Center to help ensure the continuance of the summer program at the only non-profit preschool in Sublette County, providing valuable learning experiences for young children and support for working parents.
Disability:IN Uinta County for the NextGen mentoring program that assists youth with disabilities and at-risk youth, ages 10-21, to prepare for graduation and their futures through one-to-one and employment mentoring.
Northwest College Foundation for the Rocky Mountain Power Scholarship to help students studying engineering.
Shoshoni Senior Center for new audio-visual presentation equipment to enhance educational opportunities for seniors and public meetings in the community, and for emergency supplies and equipment to support seniors
Uinta BOCES #1 Foundation for instruction and support of participants in literacy instruction, High School Equivalency preparation and employment training to help them get on track to sustainable employment and a better future.
Western Wyoming College Foundation for scholarships to help Western Wyoming Community College students complete the Powerline Technology Program to prepare for careers in the electrical powerline field.
Wyoming PBS Foundation to help Wyoming PBS and Science Kids produce the first season of NatureWY, a new online series that delivers outdoor learning and brings the wild to young Wyoming students.
YWCA Sweetwater County for supplies and teaching tools to create a better learning environment where students can learn about science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
Idaho
Bear Lake School District 33 for new school library books with up-to-date science, technology, engineering and math subject matter.
College of Eastern Idaho Foundation to support the CEI Summer Science Camp for ages 6-14 and provide scholarships for students from low-income backgrounds to help increase interest and understanding of STEAM subjects, and for three human-machine interfaces used to teach students studying in the Energy Systems Technology courses at the College of Eastern Idaho.
Downey Elementary School for ViewSonic touch board technology to help improve classroom presentations.
Idaho Home Learning Academy/Oneida School District for online programs to aid virtual lessons in literacy, math and science.
Idaho STEM Action Center Foundation to provide K-12 educators with STEM classroom kits at the i-STEM professional development institutes which they can use in their classrooms for high-quality, hands-on STEM lessons.
Junior Achievement of Idaho for support of the Junior Achievement programs for the Jefferson School District, including the purchase of education kits and volunteer lunch and training.
Madison Library District to help provide raffle prizes for the library’s centennial-year celebration, Books for Balloons, that encourages youth up to age 18 to read as much as possible this year.
West Side School District #202 to help create a multipurpose center for use by the school and the larger community with space for recreational facilities as well as a stage for fine arts productions.