Orsted and Eversource have awarded a $950,000 grant to Groton-based Project Oceanology and its K-12 STEM program focused on climate change, sustainability, energy generation and offshore wind in the US.
The funding will be distributed evenly over four years, starting this year and continuing through 2024.
During the first year of the new programme, which will launch in the autumn, Project Oceanology will develop and design educational units with the goal of recruiting nine southeastern Connecticut schools – three elementary, three middle school, and three high school levels – to participate in the first year.
The programme will focus on reaching students from schools serving economically disadvantaged and underserved communities, with plans to reach 12 school groups with the programs in 2022, 15 in 2023, and 18 in 2024.
Project Oceanology will also provide teachers with professional development sessions and develop fundraising capabilities to sustain long-term programme accessibility for underserved schools.
Project Oceanology executive director Jim McCauley said: “Our collaboration with Orsted and Eversource will help ensure that we are training the STEM workforce of tomorrow for the critical fight against climate change.
“We are also making sure to be inclusive as we provide hands-on, STEM-focused educational opportunities to students across the region, especially those from underserved communities.”
Orsted head of market affairs for New England David Ortiz said: “Addressing climate change is one of the crucial challenges of our time and will require innovative ideas and new solutions.
“We are proud to support Project Oceanology as we work together to educate and train our future leaders in sustainability and clean energy.”
Eversource Energy vice president of business development Michael Ausere said: “As we continue our work to grow the offshore wind industry in Connecticut, we are eager to work closely with local communities and partners to support educational and workforce development initiatives.
“Project Oceanology’s collaborative, experiential learning approach was a perfect fit for us, and we look forward to expanding access to this unique programme for local students.”
Orsted and Eversource are jointly developing Connecticut’s first offshore wind farm, the 304MW Revolution Wind.