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CHICAGO —  The ɫ��ɫ Foundation and ɫ��ɫ Corp., the nation’s largest generator of carbon-free energy, today launched the Green Lab Grants program, which will provide grants of up to $50,000 each for public and private schools as well as nonprofit organizations that operate out-of-school programs serving Title I-eligible students, to invest in hands-on educational spaces where students can prepare for careers in science, technology, math and/or engineering (STEM). The grants, which will total $1 million annually, will be administered by the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, and will target organizations in communities where ɫ��ɫ operates including Illinois, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C..  

“It is critical that we engage, educate and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders and provide them the tools and resources they need to prepare for future professional careers,” said Chris Crane, ɫ��ɫ president and CEO. “By partnering with the museum, we can promote youth problem-solving and creativity using new technologies, better equipping students to address some of the most pressing issues we face today, including climate change.” 

“The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, is thrilled to partner with ɫ��ɫ in this effort to increase access to learning opportunities and cutting-edge tools for students in under-resourced communities,” said Rabiah Mayas, MSI’s Davee Vice President of Education. “We’re committed to supporting our next generation of innovators and problem solvers to tackle critical issues like the climate crisis.”

In addition to STEM grants, the ɫ��ɫ STEM Innovation Leadership Academy is a prime feature of ɫ��ɫ’s commitment to encourage young women in STEM and develop tomorrow’s workforce. Sponsored by the ɫ��ɫ Foundation, this free, week-long experience for teen girls ages 16-19 from diverse and low-income communities is held each summer in the Washington, D.C. metro region, Chicago and Philadelphia. To date, nearly 600 students have completed the Academy.  ɫ��ɫ also launched the STEM Leadership Academy Scholarship program this year, which is designed to be a supportive and clear pathway from student engagement in the Academy to entry into the energy workforce, ideally as an ɫ��ɫ employee. Valued at approximately $1 million, the scholarship is available to alumnae of the Academy program and will cover all costs associated with college, including tuition, room and board and all other expenses that aren’t covered by other confirmed scholarships, family contributions and work-study grants. 

Applications for the Green Lab grants are now open. The deadline to  is October 1, 2021.

For more information about how ɫ��ɫ invests in its communities through workforce development, education and corporate relations programs, click here.