INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
NextEra Energy Resources sees educating the next generation as an important part of being a good community citizen. Our goals are to help today’s students prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities by enhancing the classroom learning environment and investing in the most valuable resources – children and their education.
Connecting Students to Success
The company helped purchase iPads and Chromebook laptops in support of a one-on-one technology initiative to enhance classroom learning in school districts, including the Akron-Fairgrove School District in eastern Michigan, and Minco and Hinton public schools in central Oklahoma.
Teaching the ABCs of Wind Energy
NextEra Energy Resources partners with KidWind to host professional development workshops for educators to enhance STEM education in their classrooms. Educators learn about wind energy by designing and building their own wind turbines with inexpensive and readily available craft supplies.
Giving Student Up-close Views of Wind Farms
Students visit some of NextEra Energy Resources’ operational wind farms to learn about the technology and how it contributes to home-grown energy in their communities.
Helping Nebraska students hit the road
Nebraska celebrated its sesquicentennial, or 150th year of statehood, in 2017. In partnership with First Lady of Nebraska Susanne Shore, NextEra Energy Resources also celebrated the state’s rich history and growth by offering the Nebraska Experience – a new initiative designed to help facilitate fourth grade field trips to the Nebraska State Capitol and other historically and culturally significant sites.
“When Nebraska’s Governor Pete Ricketts launched the Nebraska 150 Celebration, we saw an opportunity to get involved in part of the celebration through the Nebraska Experience,” said Phil Clement, project manager, NextEra Energy Resources Wind Development. “The students have an opportunity to experience the magnificence of the landmarks and learn about the history of their state as they grow up to help shape Nebraska’s future.”
The funds donated to the Nebraska Experience support 80 percent of those students during field trips.
Nebraska First Lady Susanne Shore said, “The Nebraska Experience will certainly help bring history to life for Nebraska’s fourth graders, but we believe it will also illustrate that they live in a truly amazing place. We want to build on the pride they already have for being Nebraskans and encourage them to stay here and help write the next chapter of our state’s history.”
NextEra Energy Resources’ involvement in Nebraska began in 2013. The company has committed to fund these trips for students located near the company’s operating sites for the life of this educational project. A NextEra Energy Resources’ subsidiary owns and operates the Steele Flats Wind Energy Center, capable of generating approximately 74.8 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. NextEra Energy Resources also operates the Cottonwood Wind Energy Center in Nebraska and has additional projects in development.
“Our wind energy projects bring good jobs and investment to Nebraska communities, and with this school tour program, we are pleased to invest in the state’s most valuable resource – our children and their education,” Phil said.