NEED programs are growing in Alabama thanks to expanded support from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Building on the success of the Mobile and Baldwin County programs, new workshops in Montgomery and northern Alabama will provide resources and training for more Alabama educators. Teachers across Alabama receive training, classroom materials, and support as they teach energy. Educators receive NEED curriculum materials, in-service and workshop training and sponsorships to the NEED Energy Conferences for Educators. The best programs are recognized as part of the NEED Youth Awards for Energy Achievement. All NEED materials are correlated to the Alabama Department of Education’s Science Standards. Plans are underway to expand the program in the 2005-2006 school year.
Sponsors: ChevronTexaco and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs–Science, Technology and Energy Division.

Alaska
The NEED Project
PO Box 10101
Manassas, VA 20108
Tel: (703) 257-1117
Fax: (703) 257-0037
Email: info@need.org
Web: www.need.org

The Alaska NEED program continues to grow with the dedicated leadership of NEED lead teachers and incredible sponsors and partners. In October 2005, thanks to the support of BP and the U.S. Department of the Interior—Minerals Management Service, NEED conducted an Alaska Energy conference for forty educators from across the state. Participants received NEED curriculum materials, Science of Energy kits, and great kits from the Alaska Mineral and Energy Resource Education Fund (AMEREF) in addition to the new Get Energized CD from the U.S. Department of the Interior—Bureau of Land Management. Additionally, many educators attended a NEED National Energy Conference for Educators or a local workshop. The NEED program is perfectly suited to achieve the goals and objectives of the Anchorage Public School District’s science curriculum, and has been correlated to the State of Alaska’s science goals and objectives. Workshops in Fairbanks and other communities are planned for early fall.

Arkansas
Contact: Markey Ford, Program Manager
Arkansas DED - Energy Office
One Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
Tel: (501) 682-7690
Fax: (501) 682-1188
Email: mford@1800arkansas.com
Web: www.need.org

The Arkansas NEED Program has expanded from a pilot program in Fort Smith to cities and counties across the state. Thanks to the support of the Arkansas Energy Office, more workshops and in-services, as well as energy fairs for students, were hosted throughout the school year. NEED Lead Teachers Lillian Silverstone and Jan Kessler have developed many valuable partnerships and are making plans for great things in 2005-2006. Participating educators receive workshop training and classroom materials, and participate in NEED events in the classroom and the community.

Sponsor: Arkansas Energy Office.

California
The NEED Project
PO Box 10101
Manassas, VA 20108
Tel: (703) 257-1117
Fax: (703) 257-0037
Email: info@need.org
Web: www.need.org

The California NEED Program continued its successful partnerships and programs in 2005-2006, adding even more opportunities for California teachers and students. The renewal of BP’s A+ for Energy Program allowed educators across the state to access grants, NEED training, and NEED curriculum. BP and NEED hosted seven Energy Conferences for Educators in 2005. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Solar Schools program had a successful first year in 2005 and has continued into 2006, providing teachers with grants, solar panels for their schools, and one-day workshops. Last summer, over 100 teachers attended the PG&E Solar Schools Summer Workshop in Sacramento.

Sponsorship from the U. S. Minerals Management Service funded two NEED workshops for teachers in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. A partnership with D&R International’s School Energy Efficiency program provided teachers the opportunity to attend special workshops on energy efficiency and conservation programs for schools. Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies Program, teachers also had an opportunity to attend hydrogen workshops where each participating school received their own H2Educate kit.

All programs are correlated to the California Department of Education Curriculum Frameworks, and NEED works to partner with organizations and networks to provide resources and materials to an ever-expanding network of California educators. Special thanks go to the California Science Teachers Association for helping expand the California program.

Sponsors: BP; Pacific Gas and Electric Company; D&R International School Energy Efficiency Program, and U.S. Department of the Interior - Minerals Management Service.

Colorado
The NEED Project
PO Box 10101
Manassas, VA 20108
Tel: (703) 257-1117
Fax: (703) 257-0037
Email: info@need.org
Web: www.need.org

NEED lead teachers and students provide workshops, in-services, and outreach programs for schools and community groups. Xcel Energy continues to provide resources to teachers in Denver and the surrounding region. Educators are sponsored to attend a NEED Energy Conference for Educators, the NEED Youth Awards for Energy Achievement, and multiple one-day workshops throughout the school year. All NEED programs and activities are correlated to the Colorado Department of Education standards. In 2005, a new partnership with Energy Outreach Colorado has provided NEED with the opportunity to expand its reach as a partner of the Energy Hog program. The program, as part of an Ad Council campaign, encourages students to reduce energy consumption at home. For the 2005-2006 school year, NEED is pleased to partner with the U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management to provide energy education resources and training to teachers.

Sponsors: Xcel Energy; Energy Outreach Colorado, and U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management.

Connecticut
The NEED Project
PO Box 10101
Manassas, VA 20108
Tel: (703) 257-1117
Fax: (703) 257-0037
Email: info@need.org
Web: www.need.org

The Connecticut NEED program is expanding on the model of other successful programs in New England and throughout the NEED network. In 2004-2005, Dominion joined NEED as a sponsor of southeastern Connecticut programs and is providing classroom curriculum, training and resources to schools. Sponsorships were provided to classroom teachers to attend a NEED Energy Conference for Educators in July. Plans to conduct workshops and additional training opportunities are underway. This program complements the CONNECTicut Energy Council for Teachers CEED program (Connecticut Energy Education Day).

Sponsor: Dominion.