NRG Sponsors Young Audiences Competition to Use Arts Education for Teaching STEAM

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NRG Sponsors Young Audiences Competition to Use Arts Education for Teaching STEAM

Schools Can Win up to $8,000 for STEAM Programming!

PRINCETON, NJ; October 27, 2016 — Princeton-based integrated power company NRG Energy, Inc., a longtime supporter of Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania, has donated $50,000 to create the NRG Creatively STEAM Scholarships, a competitive award program to bring arts-based STEAM education to schools in Mercer County, New Jersey. Six winning schools will experience yearlong arts education programming rooted in STEAM.

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Once awarded, each school’s year of programming will be planned collaboratively with YA staff and the school’s teachers and administrators. Program offerings will be customized to meet a school’s STEAM goals. Programs are presented by professional teaching artists and are conducted at the school and include performance, workshop, and teacher professional development.

“Young Audiences is always looking for strategic partners who believe, as we do, that the arts are a powerful tool for learning. STEAM programs support our students’ creativity and ingenuity and we are looking forward to bringing these educational experiences to students in our region.” said Michele Russo, President & CEO of Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania.

 

Young Audiences is dedicated to bringing the arts to children in the New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania area by fostering an arts-rich school environment that incorporates the work of professional teaching artists. . The NRG Creatively STEAM Awards were created to engage students with innovative arts experiences.

”NRG believes that STEAM education has the power to unlock the potential in tomorrow’s leaders, while building a better future.” Said Jennifer Brunelle, Director, NRG’s corporate philanthropy program. “Innovation and technology are central to NRG’s business, and teaching young people how to tap into their creativity will help move our industry forward. That’s why we’re proud to support this STEAM Scholarship.”

 

STEAM Scholarship Schools receive guidance and support from Young Audiences’ staff to assess school and student needs and develop a customized plan for YA’s STEAM programs. Based on the plan, YA will schedule professional artists to come to the school and provide a series of experiences that can include:

  • Performances for the entire school population
  • Hands-on arts residency work for students, and
  • Professional development for teachers to integrate arts into STEM learning in the classroom
  • Assistance in creating a community event that shares student work and celebrates a school’s commitment to STEAM education as an essential part of learning.

To be eligible for a Creatively STEAM Scholarship, a school must be:

  • A public or charter school
  • Located in Mercer County
  • Serving PreK, elementary, and/or middle school students

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and evaluated on:

  • Eligibility requirements listed above
  • Interest in supporting STEAM initiatives
  • Commitment to bringing quality arts integrated programs to students, teachers and community
  • Ability and willingness to schedule programs within the 2016-2017 school year
  • Ability to contribute resources to the program (in-kind, cash, supplies)

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For schools interested in winning a NRG Creatively STEAM Scholarship worth up to $8,000, please visit www.yanjep.org to apply. Application deadline is Friday, November 18, 2016. Winning applicants will be notified via phone or email by December 1, 2016; winning schools will be listed on Young Audience’s website: www.yanjep.org.

If you have questions about the NRG Creatively STEAM Scholarships, please contact Jacqueline Knox at 866-500-9265 or at [email protected].

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About Young Audiences

Founded in 1973, Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania is the premier arts-in-education resource in the region, providing high-quality performances and artist-in-residence programs to schools in all 21 counties of New Jersey and the 7 easternmost counties of Pennsylvania. Young Audiences’ extensive professional artist roster represents all art forms—from dance and theater to music, language and visual arts. Since its founding, the organization has reached over 12 million children with essential arts education experiences.

A not-for-profit organization, Young Audiences’ programs are accessible to all socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, and geographic communities, and are designed to strengthen the arts in schools, meet local and state curriculum standards, involve families in arts activities, and enrich cultural life in New Jersey and Pennsylvania communities.

Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania is the first arts education organization designated as a major service organization by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and, as part of the national network of YoungAudiences, Inc., was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton. Young Audiences programs are made possible in part through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State and Pennsylvania Council of the Arts. Additional funding comes from foundations, corporations and generous individuals. To learn more, visit www.yanjep.org. To be “social” with us, join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @YANJEPA and on Instagram @young_audiences_njepa.

About NRG

NRG is the leading integrated power company in the U.S., built on the strength of the nation’s largest and most diverse competitive electric generation portfolio and leading retail electricity platform. A Fortune 200 company, NRG creates value through best in class operations, reliable and efficient electric generation, and a retail platform serving residential and commercial businesses. Working with electricity customers, large and small, we continually innovate, embrace and implement sustainable solutions for producing and managing energy. We aim to be pioneers in developing smarter energy choices and delivering exceptional service as our retail electricity providers serve almost 3 million residential and commercial customers throughout the country.

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Contacts:

Denyce Mylson                                                                                                Candice Adams

Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania                          Corporate Communications, NRG Energy

609.243.9000, x202 or [email protected]                                         609.524.5428 or [email protected]