Teachers across Texas were given the opportunity to apply for Classroom Innovation Grants from First Choice Power, a subsidiary of PNM Resources and one of Texas’ largest retail electric providers. These key grants in education were awarded to full-time teachers in pre-K and K-12 whose applications showed an innovative and creative approach to teaching energy awareness and energy efficiency in their classroom. The goal was to create projects that would “stimulate and inspire young minds” and teacher’s applications had to include a project description, objectives, budget and evaluations that showed how they would accomplish this.

“Teachers positively impact their students every year,” said Brian Hayduk, president of First Choice Power. “Energy is a growing issue, and today’s students are the key to its future. Classroom Energy Innovation Grants are one way we are doing our part to help support innovative learning.”

Molly Edwards, Beverly Howe and Lucy Vivian were three of more than 20 innovative teachers to receive the First Choice Power Classroom Innovation Energy Grants in 2009. Molly Edwards and Beverly Howe are science teachers at Lamkin elementary school; together they received a grant for $2,000 for science projects that will coincide with their curriculum. Sixth-grade World Cultures teacher Lucy Vivian was awarded $1,800 to purchase two computers for Goodson Middle School which will serve as research stations.

First Choice Power not only provides electric services, they also help people find ways to reduce their energy use with energy-saving tips. They continue to provide services and support to people throughout Texas and even have more grants and programs to help teach kids and families about energy. Two new grants being offered to teachers and schools who are First Choice Power customers are Earth Study grants and some more Classroom Innovation Grants. Earth Study Grants are in the amount of $1,000 and go towards projects that promote environmental awareness. The newest round of Classroom Innovation Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $300-$500 and will go to teachers that have “exciting and creative ideas for their classrooms.” The deadline for Earth Study grant applications is February 5th and the deadline for Classroom Innovation Grant applications is March 5. So if you know an eligible teacher, encourage them to apply soon.

“We encourage eligible teachers to apply for these grants so they can obtain the necessary resources to turn their environmental or creative teaching ideas into classroom magic,” said Diane Harrison Ogawa, executive director of the PNM Resources Foundation. “First Choice Power provides grants, resources and information to help Texans be more energy efficient,” Hayduk said. “It’s good for you; it’s good for the environment; and it’s good for Texas.”

If you would like some tips on how you can save energy (and reduce cost) please visit www.FirstChoicePower.com/tips where you’ll find no- and low-cost ways to save energy throughout your home.

For more information on First Choice Power or how to apply for the newest grants, please visit www.FirstChoicePower.com/innovation/