TULSA, Okla. (March 4, 2022) – Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) today announced $22,000 in robotics grants to 19 public schools and Girl Scout teams throughout the state. The grants ranged from $400 to $2,000.
The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics grants program is a nationwide initiative that supports pre-kindergarten through grade 12 student education with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). This multi-national robotics competition teams professionals and high school students together to solve an engineering problem in a challenging and competitive way. FIRST competitions are high-tech spectator sporting events demonstrating participants’ success in brainstorming, teamwork and meeting deadlines.
PSO’s parent company, American Electric Power, funds FIRST grants on behalf of its operating companies. AEP awarded 152 grants totaling $200,000 across its 11-state service area.
“Robotics are a fun way for students to learn important STEM skills that will last a lifetime,” said Tiffini Jackson, PSO vice president, external affairs. “AEP and PSO want to encourage the next generation of innovators and engineers by supporting these firsthand experiences in science and technology.”
Robotics grant recipients for 2022 include:
- Adair High School
- Adair Middle School
- Broken Arrow High School
- Caddo Kiowa Technology Center (Fort Cobb)
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma (Boss Ladies team)
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma (Lego Queens team)
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma (Supergirls team)
- Grove Public Schools (Team 3160, Frog)
- Grove Public Schools (Team 8638, Tadpole)
- Jenks High School
- Kiamichi Technology Center (Idabel)
- McAlester High School
- Okmulgee High School
- Okmulgee Public Schools (Okmulgee Primary School)
- Red Oak Public Schools
- Tri County Technology Center (Bartlesville)
- Tulsa Public Schools/Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences
- Union FTC Robotics Booster Club Inc. (Eighth Grade Center)
- Union High School
More information on FIRST robotics programs can be found at: www.firstinspires.org. Information on how to apply for an AEP robotics grant can be found at: aep.com/aepfirstgrant
About the AEP Foundation
The American Electric Power Foundation is funded by American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) and its operating subsidiaries. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives involving higher dollar values and multi-year commitments in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area.
The Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math; by meeting basic needs for emergency shelter, affordable housing and the elimination of hunger; and championing social and racial justice. Other Foundation support may be offered to protect the environment, promote healthcare and safety, and enrich life through art, music and cultural heritage.
About PSO
PSO, a unit of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), is an electric utility company serving more than 562,000 customer accounts in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma. Based in Tulsa, PSO has approximately 3,800 megawatts of generating capacity fueled primarily by natural gas, 22-thousand miles of distribution lines and 37-hundred miles of transmission lines. PSO also is one of the largest distributors of wind energy in the state. News releases and other information is at www.PSOklahoma.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, NextDoor and Instagram @PSOklahoma.
About American Electric Power (AEP)
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2050. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
Media Contact:
Wayne Greene
PSO Corporate Communications
(918) 521-1474
lwgreene@aep.com