As we wrap up the NEED 2010-2011 program year and begin the 2011-2012 program year, there is a great deal of energy within the organization as we launch new programs and curriculum modules, expand existing ones, and add new resources to NEED’s already robust energy education portfolio.  

Teachers asked for alignment to all 50 state science standards, and we delivered.  By the end of 2010, NEED completed alignment of its curriculum with science standards (and several others) for all 50 states!  Feedback from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive and we’ll continue to do our best to deliver resources that teachers need to effectively teach about energy in the classroom.    The new www.need.org launched with improved usability, better organization of our curriculum materials, and better access to the tools we’ve developed to make teaching about energy easier, more authentic, and even more fun in the classroom and in clubs, student organizations, and community groups.  In 2011, the new NEED graphic library brings teachers and students a one-stop opportunity for energy graphics to be used in student presentations.  

Coming for Fall 2011 will be a Chemistry of Energy Efficiency module as part of the International Year of Chemistry. This web-based program, supported by the American Chemistry Council and Shell explores the chemistry of the energy efficiency products we use at home and at school to reduce our energy consumption.  We’re updating NEED’s popular solar modules to bring even more solar energy education to our classrooms and we’ll launch a new Exploring Oil and Natural Gas module to bring together many of NEED’s excellent oil and natural gas activities and some new ones in a comprehensive way.  Working with the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and their Energy4Me program, we’ve co-created some great new lessons that debut in our Fossil Fuels to Products guide for the 2011-2012 school year.  

I’m lucky.  NEED is lucky.  The hard work and dedication of our staff, teachers, partners, and Board Members raises the level of discussion about energy in our nation’s classrooms and makes a difference.  We evaluate and we see the data – NEED teaches kids and their families about energy.  NEED training increases teacher knowledge about energy.  We’re all learning and we’re all teaching.  All the time.  

I want to take a moment and thank three very special people who have made a decade long impact on NEED.  As NEED’s Chairman since 2007, Rick Zuercher provided the leadership, the patience, and the tireless energy to make NEED stronger in every way.  Rick took the time to understand teachers and students and what we could do as an organization to raise the bar on energy education.   We all thank him for his work and constant dedication.  Also leaving NEED’s Board of Directors this year are Kevin Galligan and Tom Fry.  Kevin Galligan, of the Cape Light Compact, is a sponsor, speaker, advisor and consistent voice for energy efficiency and renewable energy at NEED.  The Cape Light Compact’s extraordinary energy education programming speaks to his dedication and effectiveness at NEED.  Tom Fry, now retired from the National Ocean Industries Association, is a tireless advocate for NEED throughout the energy industry and federal agencies.  NOIA’s membership is among NEED’s largest donor base, and thanks to him, our relationship with the U.S. Department of the Interior remains strong as well. In 2010, I was honored to present him with the NEED Distinguished Service Award and in 2011, honored to present it to Rick Zuercher and Kevin Galligan.  

NEED continues to do all we can with the resources gifted to us.   We consistently improve our efficiency and leverage financial, human, and program resources to provide the best possible energy education program available.  

Let’s keep at it!


Mary E. Spruill
Executive Director