At PPL we view the customers we serve as part of a diverse resource pool for future STEM talent and we recognize that children in underserved areas of our communities don’t have the same access to educational programs and opportunities as other students, leaving them at risk of falling behind.

We believe that building a strong educational foundation is critical to the success of today’s students. For some, there are social, economic and geographic barriers preventing access to high-quality educational opportunities.

PPL supports science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives that help level the playing field for all students – regardless of their race, gender or where they live. We partner with hundreds of educational organizations to help open doors and unlock potential for students in pre-school through university.

A recent partnership with the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania launched a new mobile STEM lab. The lab allows the Girl Scouts to take their science-related programming into rural areas, reaching girls who might not be able to easily get to Scout centers and camps.

Because you’re never too young to get interested in STEM, PPL provided funding for a STEM-focused pre-kindergarten program to expand high-quality education specifically for low-income families. The children entering the program typically demonstrate skills that lag behind and results have shown that by the end of the program, skill levels of all the children is up to or exceeding par.

PPL employees dedicate hundreds of hours mentoring students throughout the year. Each week our employees are out in force, tutoring children at inner-city community schools or leading Explorer Posts to mentor high school students about STEM career opportunities.

PPL’s STEM-focused initiatives have reached thousands of students and educators. Through philanthropic contributions and countless volunteer hours, PPL inspires and prepares students for a bright future.

Tom Lynch