Teachers in the San Tan Valley area can earn a $400 classroom grant this school year by completing a free STEM workshop from SRP, and registration is now open.

The Saturday workshops run from 8 a.m. to noon at the PERA Training and Conference Center, 1 E. Continental Drive in Tempe. Teachers can see full workshop descriptions and sign up at srp.net/education.

The trainings are open to all certified K-12 educators in Arizona — including teachers in Florence Unified School District, J.O. Combs Unified School District and the charter schools serving the San Tan Valley area. SRP, which provides electricity to much of the area, runs the series to help teachers build hands-on science, technology, engineering and math lessons, and attendees can receive tools and materials aligned with state standards.

How the Grant Works

Educators who complete at least one workshop become eligible for a $400 classroom grant. The money is meant to help teachers put the lessons and activities from the training to work in their own classrooms — covering the kinds of supplies and materials hands-on STEM lessons require.

Teachers may attend up to two workshops per semester. Each four-hour session counts toward professional development, for a possible 16 professional development hours over the school year.

This Year's Workshop Schedule

• Aug. 22 — Powering Our Future, Grades K-2

• Aug. 29 — Powering Our Future, Grades 3-5

• Aug. 29 — AZ Water Story, Grades 7-12

• Sept. 12 — Powering Our Future, Grades 6-8

• Sept. 19 — Electricity, Grades 3-8

• Sept. 26 — Powering Our Future, High School

• Oct. 3 — AZ Water Story, Grades 2-6

• Nov. 7 — Magnetism, Grades 3-8

Space is limited, and SRP encourages teachers to register early at srp.net/education.