Stone Magnet Middle School has been selected as one of ten schools statewide to receive Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) prestigious STEM Classroom Makeover Grant for the 2025–26 school year. The grant—valued at $50,000—will fund the creation of a state-of-the-art STEAM TV Production Laboratory designed to expand hands-on STEM opportunities for students.
The FPL STEM Classroom Makeover Grant, supported by the NextEra Energy Foundation, provides funding to schools serving economically disadvantaged students to enhance STEM curriculum, technology, and real-world learning experiences. Stone Magnet Middle School’s winning proposal focuses on transforming an unused storage area into an interactive media and production studio where students will develop skills in technology, engineering, communication, design, and collaborative problem-solving.
On Monday, March 16, Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell, Principal Lauren Feronti Williams, and STEAM Magnet Coordinator Diahann Shaw joined students and staff to celebrate the announcement. The upgraded lab will support a student-run news and media program, allowing students to explore digital storytelling, video production, broadcasting, and emerging technologies.
The project is part of BPS’s ongoing commitment to expand STEM access and ensure that students have innovative learning environments that prepare them for future academic and career pathways. The redesigned space will incorporate industry-standard tools—such as digital production equipment, robotics resources, and interactive instructional technology—creating a modern environment that supports creativity, inquiry, and hands-on learning.
Brevard Public Schools extends its appreciation to Florida Power & Light Company for its continued investment in education. Partnerships like this help strengthen schools, inspire students, and open doors to opportunities that empower the next generation of innovators and leaders.