JCP&L Announces Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Classroom Grant Winners

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Eleven New Jersey teachers have been awarded Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) classroom grants from FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE).  The grants, totaling almost $8,000, will be used for a variety of hands-on projects, workshops and academic programs across Jersey Central Power & Light's (JCP&L) service area.

The grant winners, their schools and projects are:

• Amy Brenner, Clinton Public School, Clinton ? Creating textiles that light up using conductive thread and LED lights.
• Leigh Fitzsimmons, Henry Hudson Regional School, Highlands ?Designing and building battery-powered toys to explore circuits and electricity.
• Matthew Garrera, High Point Regional High School, Sussex ? Using digital electronic systems to learn about automation and automated systems.
• Katherine McFadden and Dana DeMetro, Hopatcong Borough Schools, Hopatcong ? Planting and growing a sustainable garden of vegetables and flowers.
• Gina Newmann, Central Middle School, Stirling ? Designing and building a prosthetic limb using recycled materials.
• Danielle Parella, Elms Elementary School, Jackson ? Exploring aquaponic growing systems and donating the food produced.
• Michael Schwartz, Sussex County Charter School for Technology, Sparta ? Studying hydropower and solar energy and building prototype systems to demonstrate student knowledge.
• Wendy Whittle, Point Road Elementary School, Little Silver ? Making clothing that lights up using conductive thread and LED lights.
• Chris Zrada and Cheryl McDonald, Marine Academy of Science and technology, Highlands ? Designing removable guards for utility lines to protect large bird species from contacting the lines.

"JCP&L and FirstEnergy have long supported educational activities, particularly those that encourage students to pursue careers in the critical fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said Dee Lowery, president of the FirstEnergy Foundation.  "We are pleased to provide assistance to several STEM projects this year that support our students, schools and educators as they work to help build a strong workforce for the future."  

FirstEnergy offers grants up to $1,000 to individual teachers and administrators at schools served by its electric utility operating companies and in communities where it has facilities.  Company-wide, these grants totaled almost $70,000 in 2017.

Grants recipients are recommended by local educators who make up FirstEnergy's Educational Advisory Council.  As part of the program, recipients must furnish a written summary and evaluation of their projects that can be shared with other educators in FirstEnergy's service area.

JCP&L is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.  JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.  Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.  The company's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.