Eight schools with large numbers of military dependents in West Oahu will benefit from a $1.5 million federal grant aimed at expanding learning opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

The grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity funds a network of public schools that serve children of military and federal civilian personnel. The schools benefiting from the grant are: Barbers Point, Ewa Beach, Holomua, Iroquois Point, Kapolei, Keoneula and Mauka Lani elementary schools, and Ilima Intermediate School.

“The grant will allow students new opportunities to explore STEM subjects and develop these skills critical to the workforce of today and the future,” Department of Education Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said in a statement.

The DOE said the schools will use a curriculum called Project Lead The Way to enhance STEM academic achievement and to equip students with the necessary skills to pursue STEM-related careers.

“We are honored to be a first-time (Department of Defense Education Activity) grant recipient and we look forward to boosting STEM learning opportunities,” Heidi Armstrong, Campbell-Kapolei complex area superintendent, said in a statement.

The five-year grant will end in 2020.