PBS Reno Received NV Energy Foundation Grant

The funding supports STEM-focused Curiosity Classroom workshops for students throughout the region.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Primary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration of STEM building blocks and magnifying tools on a wooden table, representing accessible education. — PBS Reno received a $25,000 grant from the NV Energy Foundation to expand its Curiosity Classroom initiative for students in the region. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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PBS Reno has secured a $25,000 grant from the NV Energy Foundation to expand educational programming. The funds support the Curiosity Classroom initiative, which provides interactive workshops for students.

Why it matters

The grant aims to increase accessibility to STEM learning opportunities for students in the region. By providing structured educational resources, the program assists students across multiple school districts.

The $25,000 grant supports workshops that last 45 to 60 minutes each. During the 2025-2026 school year, 6,873 workshops served 130,378 students across nine school districts.

The players

PBS Reno

This is a public television station based in Reno, Nevada, that provides educational and community programming.

NV Energy Foundation

This is the philanthropic arm of the energy company, focusing on supporting community initiatives and educational programs in Nevada.

The details

Curiosity Classroom workshops utilize a combination of video clips, read alouds, and hands-on activities to engage learners. Trained facilitators lead these sessions using materials provided through the program.

PBS Reno delivered 6,873 workshops during the 2025-2026 school year.
PBS Reno announced the receipt of the grant on October 5, 2026.

Culture Shift

The push for supplemental STEM programming reflects a broader societal shift toward integrating specialized educational technology into standard school curricula. This trend prioritizes early access to technical literacy and hands-on learning outside of traditional classroom instruction.

Students in the nine participating school districts will continue to have access to guided STEM workshops at no additional cost. These sessions utilize pre-packaged materials to ensure consistent learning outcomes for diverse classrooms.

The takeaway

Hands-on workshops bridge the gap between abstract STEM concepts and classroom application for thousands of students. Implementing structured, facilitator-led lessons provides a consistent educational experience across varying school district resources.