By Natalie Fisher
On Monday, April 27, at Country Club Middle School in Hialeah, FL, Chris Ferreira,
External Affairs Manager at FPL, congratulated Rhonda Gaines-Miller, principal of
Miami Norland Senior High School on the unveiling of her school’s classroom
makeover. Miami Norland was among six schools recognized for their achievements
and demonstrated how they utilized grant funds to enhance educational opportunities
and anticipate positive outcomes for their students.
MIAMI, FL – Six Miami-Dade County Public Schools have reason to celebrate: some recently received Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) STEM Classroom Makeover Grant for the 2025-26 school year, while four others are currently enjoying their revamped classrooms after winning the same grant for the 2024-25 school year.
“Our students are so excited,” said Edwin Stajkovic, Robotics Teacher at Orchard Villa Elementary School. “There is a noticeable sense of excitement throughout the school each morning, as students inquire about robotics activities and opportunities to visit the STEM lab. This initiative has significantly enhanced our learning environment and fostered greater enthusiasm for education.”
Makeover Grant celebration on Monday, April 27 at Country Club Middle School in
Hialeah, FL. Florida Power & Light Company, The Education Fund and Miami-Dade
County Public Schools partnered together to celebrate each school.
FPL partnered with The Education Fund and Miami-Dade County Public Schools to celebrate the recognition of all six schools. At the event, each school presented how they utilized their grant funds or outlined plans for future purchases and the anticipated benefits for their students. The schools invested in updated technology, robotics kits,
STEM software, desks, and more, all aimed at enhancing classroom learning environments.
On Monday, April 27th, at Country Club Middle School in Hialeah, FL, Florida Power &
Light Company, The Education Fund and Miami-Dade County Public Schools
collaborated to recognize six Miami-Dade County Public Schools as recipients of FPL’s
STEM Classroom Makeover Grant
“These STEM Classroom Makeover Grants represent far more than a classroom transformation. They are an investment in opportunity, innovation, and student potential,” said Lourdes Diaz, Chief Academic Officer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS). “Through our continued partnership with Florida Power & Light and The Education Fund, our educators can create learning environments that spark curiosity, promote collaboration, and inspire students to see themselves as future problem solvers, engineers, and leaders. We are deeply grateful for this support.”
The following schools are recognized:
Miami Norland Senior High School (2024-25 grant winner)
Howard D. McMillian Middle School (2024-25 grant winner)
Hialeah Middle School (2024-25 grant winner)
Orchard Villa Elementary (2024-25 grant winner)
Aventura Waterways K-8 (2025-26 grant winner)
Robert Morgan Senior High School (2025-26 grant winner)
“We firmly believe in the power of education and the difference it can make in the lives of our youth,” said Kate Cotner, FPL Director of Community Engagement. “We are thrilled to be a part of creating a dynamic learning atmosphere for students across Florida and Miami-Dade County. Our classroom makeover grants represent our ongoing commitment to supporting education and providing students with the tools they need to thrive.”
Now in its fifth year, FPL’s STEM Classroom Makeover Grant continues to transformlearning environments across their service territory. The grants provide transformational learning opportunities in classroom settings through technology and resources that advance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum and increase student exposure to STEM education and careers.
Learn more about FPL’s commitment to education at FPL.co
