R.J. Murray Middle School Receives Prestigious FPL Grant To Enhance STEM Programs

St. Johns County School District STEM Educator Justin Matthews secures one of twenty $50,000 STEM Classroom Makeover Grants

When R.J. Murray Middle School teacher Justin Matthews took on the school’s STEM program, he knew he would need to be creative in providing his students with the best experience and outcomes. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from Florida Power and Light’s (FPL) NextEra Energy Foundation, Matthews can take STEM programming at Murray to the next level. FPL officially announced the grant at R.J. Murray Middle School on Wednesday, April 9th, at 9am. Superintendent Tim Forson, St. Johns County School Board Members, and members of the school district science curriculum and career and technical education teams, joined FPL and INK! for the surprise presentation at R.J. Murray.

From humble beginnings to cutting-edge STEM lab

“The STEM program started from very humble beginnings,” says Justin Matthews, STEM Teacher at R.J. Murray Middle School. “The equipment we did have was outdated, and funding was extremely scarce. We’ve done our best, but many of our STEM projects have experienced interruptions and setbacks due to a lack of resources. This grant will help transform our classroom into an actual STEM lab to inspire our students to learn through hands-on exploration and dynamic learning experiences.”

“At RJ Murray Middle School, we believe students empowered with opportunity, knowledge, and inspiration rise,” said Dr. Esther Seward, R.J. Murray Middle School

Principal. “We are extremely grateful to FPL and honored to be the recipient of this grant.” The STEM Classroom Makeover Grant from FPL’s charitable arm, NextEra Energy Foundation, is intended to provide transformational learning opportunities for students in K-12 public schools and eligible charter or private schools designated as Title 1 or serving a minimum of 40 percent economically disadvantaged students. The grant is part of FPL’s commitment to support innovation and technology in schools. In celebration of FPL’s centennial, the company is super-sizing the program this year, expanding from five STEM Classroom Makeover Grants to 20 grants across the state – quadrupling the program and devoting $1 million to benefit Florida students.

The FPL STEM Classroom Makeover Grant will inspire transformational learning

Matthews’ approach was noticeably innovative in that students will learn by participating in the classroom makeover. With these much-needed funds, Matthews and his students will convert the classroom into a STEM lab by updating equipment like sinks, monitors, refrigerators, cameras, and Sphero Bolt+ robots and creating storage to protect the classroom’s robotics materials. The school will also expand its hydroponic gardening capabilities, which, in the past, have suffered from hurricane damage. The St. Johns County Education Foundation, Inc., operating as Investing in Kids (INK!), will serve as the fiduciary agent for the grant funds.

Mr. Matthews will have one year to redesign and revitalize his classroom, infusing his classroom with cutting-edge technological resources, modern equipment and hands-on learning materials. From virtual reality and 3D printers to robotics kits and interactive displays, this grant provides the funds to purchase the necessary supplies and equipment to foster a dynamic learning environment that encourages critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills.

“We’re thrilled to see Mr. Matthews and the students at R.J. Murray Middle School receive such a prestigious grant award,” said Cathy Newman, INK!’s Executive Director. “This investment will help secure resources that support STEM programming and bolster educational opportunities for our children.”