Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an operating company of American Electric Power (AEP), has presented grants totaling nearly $7,800 from AEP to 21 teachers, representing 12 different schools for the companies’ 2022-2023 Teacher Vision Grants.

AEP and I&M believe in the importance of ensuring teachers have appropriate funding to create a new classroom adventure. These grants are based on project proposals that will motivate students to think creatively, to step into leadership roles and to address the challenges of the future.

Projects awarded grant money had an academic focus and support fostering an interest in science, mathematics, technology, the study of energy and a sustainable environment, as well as energy efficiency.

“We know there is a need to back strong education programs within our communities, especially when it comes to building a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Katie Davis, vice president of External Affairs and Customer Service. “We hope that with these grants, local teachers are able to find creative and hands-on ways to encourage their students to learn more about the field that interests them.”

One of the grants given to Kristen Windell, a teacher at Lincoln Trail Elementary near Rockport in Spencer County, will support technology activities. This includes buying robots and circuit boards for their kindergarten through second grade.

Blackford County Schools will use funding to sponsor student scholarships for a summer STEM camp called Camp Invention.

Lisa Wietlisbach, a teacher with Leo United Methodist Preschool in Leo, Ind. is also supporting hands-on science activities for students to support early-on STEM learning. Everything from force and motion discovery sets to a motion science station will help drive kids to an early engagement with education opportunities that could lead to a love for STEM.

Funds will also support the Science Olympiad Team at River Valley Middle and High School in Three Oaks, Mich. The team is need of materials to build models among the Science Olympiad events.

Students at Bloomingdale Middle and High School in Bloomingdale, Ind. will also be getting hands on experience with construction tools. Grant dollars to that school will be used to acquire construction grade lumber that the students will use in the building of their projects, including phone and tablet stands, bat boxes to encourage safe populations of mosquito eating bats, bird feeders and more.

Teachers and schools receiving the grants are located within the I&M service area or in communities with major I&M facilities.

The 2022-2023 Teacher Vision Grants were awarded to the following schools:

• Lincoln Trail Elementary in Lamar, Ind.
• Luce Elementary School in Richland, Ind.
• St. Mary School in Alexandria, Ind.
• Leo United Methodist Preschool in Leo, Ind.
• The Children’s Nursery School in Fort Wayne, Ind.
• Blackford County Schools in Hartford City, Ind.
• Lincoln Primary Center in South Bend, Ind.
• Galesburg Augusta Middle School in Augusta, Mich.
• Bloomingdale Elementary in Bloomingdale, Mich.
• Bloomingdale Middle and High School in Bloomingdale, Mich.
• Mars Elementary in Berrien Spring, Mich.
• River Valley Middle/High School in Three Oaks, Mich.

Learn more about AEP educational grant programs at AEP.com/Community/Education