Powering Education

Tucson Electric Power helps local schools and nonprofit educational groups promote learning and literacy, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). By investing in education, 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 in the utility industry, technical fields and craft trades, among others.

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:

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 help judge the competition and provide board service to SARSEF.

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, and adult classes for GED preparation, English as a Second Language and basic literacy.

Teachers in Industry

Every summer, TEP hires middle and high school teachers enrolled in the University of Arizona’s Teachers in Industry program and provides them with real-world industry experience that they can take back to their classrooms in the fall.

Children’s Museum Tucson

For more than 20 years, TEP and 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.

Bright Students Program

TEP’s Bright Students program educates thousands of middle-school students each year about electricity and energy efficiency through hands-on lessons. Begun in 2011, the initiative is sponsored by TEP at no cost to schools and teachers.

We also offer the Safety Land interactive program for second graders and Renewable Students presentations about the science and history of renewable energy for high school students. These programs are available online for remote learning or home study for students’ convenience.

Teaching Kids About Electrical Safety

Using a display with live power lines, TEP employees go into schools to give students demonstrations about how to stay safe around electrical equipment. TEP has been giving free electrical safety presentations for two decades to teach customers and their children about the dangers of power lines and poles and electrical devices at home.

Funding Back-to-School Events

When schools gear up for another year, TEP is there to help. We support annual back-to-school events that provide students with the school supplies, clothing and dental and medical checkups they need to succeed in school.