This project provides funding to the sustainable energy fund to implement its environmental education project

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 awarded $155,000 to PP&L Sustainable Energy Fund on August 5, 2025, under the Environmental Education Grants Program (CFDA 66.951) to implement a comprehensive environmental education initiative in the Allentown, Pennsylvania area. The project will deliver hands-on workshops and conferences designed to increase public awareness and environmental literacy regarding energy infrastructure and efficient energy technologies. Two distinct target audiences will be served through separate events: a professional conference for university professors, K-12 teachers, and college students, and the EnergyPath Science Fair targeting middle and high school students in grades 5-12. Project activities will be conducted at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, and the Sustainable Energy Fund offices in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.

The grantee will make five subawards to colleges and universities whose educators participate in the conference to support the purchase of hands-on learning tools that enhance energy literacy. Expected outcomes include improved student and teacher knowledge of energy concepts, increased environmental literacy among science fair participants, and enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills related to energy technologies and their environmental impacts, particularly concerning air quality. The project will operate through August 4, 2027, building environmental education capacity and fostering career interest in sustainable energy fields within the targeted community.

The grantee will educate a variety of students and community members about the different elements that are part of our energy infrastructure. Through hands-on workshops, they will learn about different types of energy technologies and their impacts on air quality. These workshops will improve the environmental literacy of the attendees, which includes both students and teachers in and around allentown, pennsylvania. The grantee will hold workshops and conferences that will teach students new knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills with respect to energy technologies. Activities:this project will increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues with respect to efficient energy technologies in the allentown area of pennsylvania. The project will be located at desales university in center valley, pennsylvania, as well as the sustainable energy fund offices in schnecksville, pennsylvania. The grant has two target audiences, and will hold two separate events. The conference attendees are professors, teachers (K-12) and college students. The energypath science fair's audience is designed for a younger audience, including middle and high school students from fifth to twelfth grades. Subrecipient:five subawards will be made to colleges and universities whose educators attend the conference portion of this award. Subawards will be used to purchase a hands-on learning tool.outcomes:this project will result in the following deliverables in terms of career development and environmental education capacity building: a science fair will be held, and the students in attendance will greatly improve their energy literacy. Expected outcomes of these workshops and conferences include increased passion for efficient energy and the knowledge of energy concepts in both students and teachers. The intended beneficiaries include middle school, high school and college students, as well as teachers and professors in the allentown area of pennsylvania.