Promoting STEM and Energy Education

Learn about our efforts to improve and support educational opportunities in our communities.

A promising future for our communities is directly tied to a highly skilled and educated workforce. It is imperative that we give students a strong foundation to be equipped for the jobs of tomorrow.

We focus our efforts on motivating students to be prepared for higher education, promoting technology-based learning and encouraging success in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Our global economy requires students to not only have a quality education, but also a strong understanding in STEM.

Some of the organizations/projects we supported in 2022:

Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council (GSSGC)

Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council (GSSGC) serves a diverse population of girls K through 12 within Riverside and San Bernardino counties--a region with one of the highest poverty rates in the country. Their Skyland Ranch Environmental Education program teaches Girl Scouts and students about environmental sciences and responsible stewardship through experiential projects. Students learn to identify a need, develop and implement a project in their community. With the help of SoCalGas and other sponsors, they are quickly expanding their environmental learning lab and purchase equipment. Interactive, hands-on, mobile discovery stations that can be moved to scores of different outdoor locations and integrate the natural environment with the discovery process. Discovery stations include multiple focus areas including alternative energy, astronomy, geology, hydrology, and plant and forest management.

Southeast Community Development Corporation (SCDC)

Southeast Community Development Corporation (SCDC) is based in Southeast Los Angeles, SCDC established a makerspace at the Bell Technology Center that focuses on students from the City of Bell and surrounding areas where 95% of the students are considered low-income. With our support, SCDC will provide classes in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses such as tinkering, coding, robotics, 3D design, and digital photography. The project served 250 351 students over a 12-month period. The Makerspace teaches students to collaborate effectively, think critically about complex problems, design creative solutions to challenges, and share knowledge. Students use high-tech tools such as 3D printers, robots, and low-tech tools including LEGOs, and sewing machines. Students present their projects to peers, instructors, and community leaders who will provide feedback. Students will be able to improve projects based on the feedback. The project will provide students opportunities to develop 21st-century skills that are needed for STEM careers. During these projects, students develop critical thinking and perspective taking, they become more flexible and adaptable in a constantly changing work environment, they increase their ability to work cross-culturally, and they are able to take on leadership positions.

TELACU Education Foundation

For many years, our sponsorship has helped to ensure that students’ progress on the Foundation's Continuum of Education, attain at minimum a bachelor’s degree and become our nation's next generation of leaders. TELACU Scholars have built a stellar legacy of excellence: historically 99% of their high school students graduate, and almost without exception pursue post-secondary education; and 99% of their college students attain at minimum, a bachelor’s degree, with a number pursuing graduate degrees. 

SoCalGas Scholarship Program

Visit the link to learn more about the program and read about past recipients.