Benton PUD: Applications for New STEM Academy Due April 28

Local high school students are invited to apply to this summer’s inaugural Tri-Cities STEM Career Academy – a fun-filled week of exploring science, technology, engineering and math (​STEM) careers in the area’s energy and agriculture industries.

The academy is June 20-23 and includes hands-on STEM projects — like building solar-powered cars and drones — field trips to Tri-City Grain, Ice Harbor Dam, Pacific Northwest National Lab, Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant, and more. 

To apply, students need to be entering grades 10-12 and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the most recent academic year. 
Applications are due by April 28. 

The registration fee is $175, and scholarships are available.

The Tri-Cities STEM Career Academy is a Foundation for Water & Energy Education (FWEE) event hosted by Benton Conservation District, Benton PUD, Benton REA, City of Richland, Educational Service District 123, Energy Northwest, Franklin Conservation District, Kennewick School District, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Washington Grain Commission. 

“The Tri-Cities is an energy and agriculture hub for our state,” said Benton PUD Communications & Government Relations manager Jodi Henderson. “Introducing students to the types of careers that are available in our industries and the pathways to get there – that’s our goal.”