Kentucky legislation provides funding to both the Council on Postsecondary Education and the Kentucky Department of Education to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education initiatives throughout the state. Only Energy Technology Engineering programs of study approved by the KDE Area Consultant can qualify for this grant funding. This program will allow local school districts to apply for a grant to establish an energy technology engineering career pathway for students to enter postsecondary related programs and related careers.
The overall grant process has been developed for Energy Technology Engineering middle and high schools with different funding levels in three phases.
- High School program:
- Implementation Grant will be the first phase that will allow a school with an approved program to apply for a grant.
- First Time of Sustainability is phase two that will allow a school with an approved program to apply for a grant.
- Second Time of Sustainability is the third and final phase that will allow a school with an approved program to apply for a grant.
- Middle school program:
- Implementation Grant will be the first phase that will allow a school with an approved program to apply for a grant.
- First Time of Sustainability is phase two that will allow a school with an approved program to apply for a grant.
- Second Time of Sustainability is the third and final phase that will allow a school with an approved program to apply for a grant.
Integrated energy activities at the elementary level are highly encouraged to complete the pathway; however, funding is not provided at this level by KDE. Districts are reminded these grants are considered to part of matching funds as described further in this document. Priority will be given to applications that identify matching funds that address specific program needs, other than teacher salaries.
If school districts choose to implement the Energy Career Pathway program in partnership with area technology centers or community/technical colleges, they may prorate a portion of the grant funds to these agencies. Such allocation must be allocated and reported to KDE.
An applicant school shall provide an energy career pathway which includes the following components:
- Energy-related applications, including but not limited to, energy and power technology, engineering design and development, and energy-related research and applications as developed by the department in consultation with representatives from the energy technology industry, the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence, and local school districts.
- The opportunity for students to participate in energy related internships or cooperative education with energy-related industries or postsecondary education.
- Matching funds that shall be allocated to directly support the implementation of the program, which may include other state, federal, local, or nonpublic sources, within the uses and conditions set forth by the source of those funds. Previously awarded energy and engineering initiative state grants and local matches shall not be considered as matching funds for this program.