Powering Education
Page summary
Tucson Electric Power supports education through STEM programs, literacy initiatives, classroom partnerships and career development opportunities, helping students and teachers build skills, explore energy careers and prepare for future success.
Tucson Electric Power helps local school districts and nonprofit educational groups promote learning and literacy, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). By investing in education for students and teachers, we’re investing in our community’s future and the next generation of energy leaders.
TEP supports STEM learning programs that pique students’ natural curiosity. We also participate in career fairs to expose young minds to the wide range of careers across the utility industry, technical fields, and craft trades.
Many of our employees who share our commitment to education volunteer their time by reading to students or tutoring them in the classroom, giving presentations on electrical safety and energy efficiency, or teaching children basic lessons on money and finance through their involvement with Junior Achievement.
Here are just a few ways that TEP supports education in our community:
District Education Foundation Support
While TEP does not support individual schools, we partner with the foundations that support the various school districts. Much of this support is allocated for classroom mini-grants, which help teachers purchase materials for the various projects they work on throughout the year.
SARSEF
TEP helps Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation (SARSEF) prepare the workforce of the future for Southern Arizona through its regional science fair and direct classroom support. Our volunteers also help judge the competition.
Literacy Connects
TEP promotes literacy and creative expression among clients of all ages through our support of this organization. Programs include Reading Seed, which connects volunteer coaches with young children in schools, as well as adult classes for GED preparation, English as a Second Language, and basic literacy.
Children’s Museum Tucson
For more than 20 years, TEP and the Children’s Museum Tucson have partnered to bring energy education to life through the Electri-City exhibit. TEP also sponsors the Power Up program, providing admission and transportation funding for field trips for Title I schools. Participating students receive a free pass to return to the museum with their families.
TEP also partners with local schools, nonprofit organizations and schools for energy lessons. To learn about our programs and how to arrange for a presentation, visit our Education webpage.
