NEWS RELEASE
Date November 9, 2016
For Release Upon Receipt
Contact Ashlee Yingling
Telephone 412.430.3404
Duquesne Light Company and DQE Communications Award STEM Grant to Carnegie Science Center
$100,000 donation to support school programs
PITTSBURGH – Duquesne Light and DQE Communications recently awarded a gift of $100,000 to Carnegie Science Center to support hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programming, events and competitions to shine a light on the many STEM careers available today.
“As a founding partner of the Chevron Center for STEM Education and Career Development, Duquesne Light and DQE Communications are proud to continue our partnership with Carnegie Science Center through this grant,” said Jessica Rock, Director of Communications, Duquesne Light Company. “We’re happy to support these unique programs that help create and foster interest among thousands of students in opportunities and potential careers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.”
"We are grateful to Duquesne Light for their continued partnership," said Ron Baillie, co-director of Carnegie Science Center. "Their support helps us to deliver meaningful STEM programming for students across our region."
Events and programs benefiting from the grant include:
STEM programming at Carnegie Science Center:
- SciTech Days: a twice-annual event that emphasizes real-world experience in the STEM fields for students and teachers through exhibits, presentations and hands-on workshops and introduces them to the many STEM career opportunities in our region.
- Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair: 1,200 students in grades 6-12 from 120 plus schools present their science fair projects to judging teams of STEM professionals and compete for $1M in cash prizes and college scholarships.
- Engineer the Future: students, teachers and public visitors explore the field of engineering through engaging hands-on activities, interacting with professionals and by observing presentations at more than 50 event tables throughout Carnegie Science Center.
- Career Café: a fast-paced speed networking program in which high school students meet and talk with STEM professionals in a relaxed, yet dynamic atmosphere.
- Student Energy Summit: middle and high school students explore the science of energy, including renewable and non-renewable energy sources, with a range of hands-on activities and interactions with local energy experts.
STEM programming in communities across the region:
- Science on the Road – It’s Electric!: through stage presentations and in-depth classroom workshops, Science on the Road delivers STEM programming to more than 170,000 students and teachers annually in schools and organizations to address the need for informal science education outreach throughout the region.
- Tour Your Future: throughout the school year, small groups of girls ages 11-17, have the opportunity to visit a variety of workplaces to meet with local female professionals who work in the STEM fields.
- STEM Stars: in partnership with the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh, this out-of-school program for economically disadvantaged girls in grades 5-8 provides STEM subject enrichment to increase academic achievement and helps build resilience to overcome barriers they face.
Carnegie Science Awards:
- Carnegie Science Awards: recognizes and promotes outstanding science and technology achievements in western Pennsylvania.
"In addition to supporting on-site programs at Carnegie Science Center, this grant will also bolster our outreach programs, such as Science on the Road and STEM Stars, in which we bring science, technology, engineering, and math concepts directly to students in their own communities," said Ann Metzger, co-director of Carnegie Science Center.
About Duquesne Light Company
Duquesne Light Company is committed to more than keeping the lights on; it powers the moments in its customers’ lives. As a next generation energy company, Duquesne Light Company’s nearly 1,500 employees are dedicated to delivering reliable and safe energy to more than a half a million customers in southwestern Pennsylvania.
About DQE Communications
Headquartered in Pittsburgh’s Southside Works development, DQE Communications is one of the leading providers of high-speed fiber-optic data networking for businesses throughout the western Pennsylvania region. The company’s network of fiber-optic cables spans thousands of miles throughout Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Blair, Butler, Greene, Indiana, Mercer, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Already in hundreds of commercial buildings in the region, DQE Communications is continually working to expand its network through 100% customized and secure metro Ethernet, wavelength, dark fiber, internet and colocation services. DQE Communications is an affiliate of Duquesne Light, an electric energy provider to Western Pennsylvania for more than100 years. DQE began as a small part of the company’s overall business, but since its founding 15 years ago, has grown to be an important part of the corporation. In 2015, DQE Communications was named to the Pittsburgh Business Times “2015 Pittsburgh 100,” a compilation of the fastest growing private companies in the region. DQE maintains a core principle of customer service and reliability, with a cultural mindset of – your network can’t just work some of the time, it has to work all of the time. For more information, visit www.dqecom.com
About Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center is dedicated to inspiring learning and curiosity by connecting science and technology with everyday life. By making science both relevant and fun, the Science Center’s goal is to increase science literacy in the region and motivate young people to seek careers in science and technology. One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Science Center is Pittsburgh’s premier science exploration destination, reaching more than 700,000 people annually through its hands-on exhibits, camps, classes, and off-site education programs.
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