Idaho State University dental hygiene department, Idaho Museum of Natural History receive Idaho Power grants

The Idaho State University Department of Dental Hygiene and the ISU Idaho Museum of Natural History have each received one of 33 Powering Lives Grants Idaho Power has awarded this year to schools and nonprofits.

 The IMNH will also be featured on the cover of Idaho Power’s 400,000-plus circulation customer newsletter for a story in April about the Powering Lives grants, said Anne Alenskis, corporate communications specialist for Idaho Power.

"We are the caretakers of Idaho's natural and cultural history," said Herb Maschner, Director of the Idaho Museum of Natural History, located at Idaho State University in Pocatello. "The Powering Tomorrow grant will help us improve our educational infrastructure and our ability to serve children."

Each year, IMNH programs reach more than 10,000 Idaho children, K-12, encouraging a love of discovery and lifelong learning.  The museum's mission is the collection, interpretation and exhibition of artifacts, fossils, plants and animals in educational ways — each day enriching the lives of Idahoans through better understanding of our natural heritage. The museum, founded in 1934, was designated the State’s official museum of natural history by the legislature in 1986.

The Department of Dental Hygiene received its Powering Lives Grant for its efforts in helping prevent tooth decay among low-income children by providing a sealant program and for providing teaching opportunities for ISU students.

The organizations receiving the grants came from all corners of Idaho Power's service area. The grants will help support programs in the following areas: arts; community; environment; health and human services; life skills; literacy; and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

More than 160 organizations submitted entries this year. A complete list of winners is available online at www.idahopower.com/poweringlives, or www.facebook.com/idahopower.

For more information on the IMNH, visit http://imnh.isu.edu/.

For more information on ISU’s dental hygiene program, which offers bachelor and master degrees, visit http://www.isu.edu/dentalhy/.

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