(FISHERS) – Conner Prairie announced that since its inception this past fall, they have reached more than 500 students in more than eight schools in Indiana with the Prairie Mobile thanks in part to a $70,000 grant received from Duke Energy last fall.
The Duke Energy Foundation grant helps support Conner Prairie’s goal of bringing interdisciplinary education directly to elementary-age students in Indiana and helps change the way people view museums by providing direct interaction.
The grant allows Conner Prairie to bring its unique approach of integrating history and STEM to classrooms through education programs inspired by its Create. Connect exhibit, which blends stories of Indiana history with scientific experimentation, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Through February the Prairie Mobile will be traveling to schools to teach the importance of electricity as a power source and how the Rural Electrification Act brought electricity to farms. Later this winter, the Prairie Mobile will take flight, to teach the concepts of lift and thrust while stressing the importance of perseverance in innovation and invention.
“What we are doing with the Prairie Mobile is to showcase the importance of STEM education and how it helps nurture critical thinkers, increases interest in science, and most importantly, engages future innovators,” said Conner Prairie President and CEO Norman O. Burns. “Thanks in part to our longstanding partnership with Duke Energy, we are excited to continue to deliver innovative STEM education that provides opportunities for students in unique and engaging ways.”
“This project was created to put history on wheels and to deliver the lessons that Conner Prairie offers to students around the state,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar. “Conner Prairie has a long history of inspiring children in science, history, art, and nature, and the Prairie Mobile helps expands the reach of one of central Indiana’s largest attractions.”
About Conner Prairie
Spanning more than 1,000 wooded acres in Central Indiana, Conner Prairie welcomes more than 400,000 visitors of all ages annually. As Indiana’s first Smithsonian Institute affiliate, Conner Prairie offers various outdoor, historically-themed encounters and indoor experiential learning spaces that combine history and art with science, technology, engineering and math to offer an authentic look into history that shapes society today. Conner Prairie is a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization – accredited by the American Alliance of Museums – that relies on grants and philanthropic donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations for sustainability and growth. Visit connerprairie.org or call (800) 966-1836 for admission dates, hours, ticket prices and opportunities to donate and volunteer.
About Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture. Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit http://duke-energy.com/foundation.
Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos, and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about people, innovations, and community environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.
