Duke Energy’s Foundation donated $40,000 toward the iMAGINE Upstate initiative and festival. Pictured above are the Metal in Motion robotics team from the Hamilton Career Center and Ryan Heafy, executive director of iMAGINE Upstate, Linda Hannon, Duke Energy Government and Community Relations manager, Dr. Tom Peters, executive director of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics and Science and Dr. Nan Dempsey, director of STEM Upstate SC Collaborative.

UPSTATE — iMAGINE Upstate recently announced Duke Energy as a presenting partner for the upcoming festival and weeklong series of crowd-sourced science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) events.

The student-centered program and festival will take place across the Upstate from March 28-April 4.

iMAGINE Upstate is a program designed to promote innovation in Upstate education. Kicking off on March 28, iMAGINE Upstate was created to stimulate cultural and economic development by celebrating and showcasing innovation, as well as creative and entrepreneurial activity in Upstate South Carolina. The weeklong series of events will culminate in a family friendly festival on April 4, in downtown Greenville.

Through a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, Duke Energy will help support the initiative and the programs associated with it to further enhance the company›s commitment to education. In conjunction with this partnership, IMAGINE Upstate and Duke Energy also announced a series of free educational events during the week of iMAGINE Upstate called ENERGIZE Your Mind.

The events are to be held at the World of Energy education center at the Oconee Nuclear Station in Seneca. The education center will play host to a series of daily STEM activities such as hands on workshops and interactive exhibits designed to foster student development in science and energy.

“Duke Energy has been powering the Upstate for more than a century,” said Ryan Heafy, executive director of iMAGINE Upstate.” Duke Energy and IMAGINE Upstate are a natural fit and we are excited to have them on board and to be able to draw from their industry knowledge to enhance what the festival will offer the community.”

“Every dollar we contribute to education is an investment in the future of the Upstate,” said Clark Gillespy, Duke Energy’s president for South Carolina.

“Supporting effective education programs and initiatives that emphasize STEM is a critical focus for Duke Energy. We are proud to be part of this exciting venture with iMAGINE Upstate and look forward to seeing firsthand students get excited about energy, math and science. Programs like this lay the foundation for our future leaders in these fields.”

To learn more about the iMAGINE Upstate and the upcoming festival or for a complete listing of ENERGIZE Your Mind activities visit www.imagineupstate.org.