Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) depends on technology to reliably serve customers. Resources, such as smart meters and renewable energy sources, ensure both sustainability and energy-saving information is acessible. For those working with this technology, especially within a trade profession, having a solid STEM-based foundation is important. 

For utility professionals, STEM concepts fuel critical thinking skills and help develop innovative solutions to everyday energy practices. And on November 8, these science, technology, engineering and math principles, as well as I&M’s involvement in making this education accessible, are highlighted on National STEM Day.

Also see: Connecting Kindergarten to Utilities with the Power of STEM

From preschool to high school, educators are teaching and preparing students for the evolving world. We strive to support these efforts by offering students the opportunity to experience how STEM skills are used in the real world. The hope then is for these skills to become a passion, or a future career, down the road.

Through partnerships with schools and local organizations, we promote access to hands-on experience of STEM concepts. This recently demonstrated with Junior Achievement's 3DE program. Students applied STEM concepts to problem solve and develop an innovative solution for their project. This included hands-on coaching and a day at our Northeast Service Center. Additional opportunities have also come with the local Boys and Girls Clubs, the Fort Wayne Urban League, Elkhart Education Foundation and several more. 

With support from the American Electric Power Foundation, the FIRST Robotics grants also provides support for STEM education. Recently, 19 robotics teams in I&M’s service territory received this aid, benefiting students as they used teamwork and critical thinking skills to build robots for competitions at local, regional and international levels. Several local educators also received the Teacher Vision grant, which is designed to improve academic achievement with a focus on STEM, electrical safety and the balanced study of energy and the environment.

Also see: AEP Foundation Expands Education Potential Through Recent Grants

Visit our community page for more information on how I&M is supporting our local communities and how staff are making a difference through volunteering for their neighbors.