Eight military-impacted schools in West Oahu will benefit from a $1.5 million federal grant aimed expanding learning opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

The grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity, which operates a network of schools that serve dependents of military and civilian personnel, covers public schools with high populations of military-dependent students: 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 comprehensive research-based STEM 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 at these schools to get students college- and career-ready,” Heidi Armstrong, Campbell-Kapolei complex area superintendent, said in a statement.

The five-year grant will end in 2020.