LOUISIANA
Louisiana
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 programs in Louisiana have been successful this year, expanding into Orleans and LaFourche Parishes. The Plaquemines Parish program was a model for the growth of the program. Workshops continue throughout the region and participating educators receive NEED materials correlated to the Louisiana State Science Standards. Programs are planned for the Louisiana Science Teachers Association and other energy education events. Thanks to the support of NEED sponsors, interested educators participate in Energy Conferences for Educators and the NEED Youth Awards for Energy Achievement.

Sponsors: BP; Dominion, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service.

MAINE
Maine Energy Education Program
Contact: Peter Zack, Coordinator
PO Box 728
Parsonsfield, ME 04047
TEL: (207) 625-7833
FAX: (207) 287-8070
EMAIL: meep@psouth.net
WEB: www.domaindlx.com/meep

Maine Public Service Company – NEED Programs
Contact: Nancy Chandler
P.O. Box 1209
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Tel: (207) 768-5811
Email: nchandler@mainepublicservice.com

MEEP is a nonprofit public/private partnership begun in 1985 with the goal of enhancing the efforts of those involved in energy education throughout the state. MEEP believes its activities–linking energy, economy, and environment–will help develop energy literacy in the decision-makers of tomorrow. MEEP coordinates the Maine Junior Solar Sprint and Green Schools program for interested school districts. MEEP also maintains a library of curriculum materials and videos for school loan.
Maine Public Service Company offers NEED workshops and materials to schools and sponsors the NEED Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement for schools in their region.

Sponsors: Maine Public Service Company; Maine Department of Economic and Community Development; Maine Department of Environmental Protection; Central Maine Power Company, and Maine Public Service Company.

MARYLAND
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

Maryland’s NEED program energized this year. Dominion sponsored a workshop at their Cove Point LNG (liquefied natural gas) facility. In addition to a special tour of the facility on bicycles, participating teachers received training, curriculum materials, and Science of Energy kits. Maryland 4-H leaders also participated in training for NEED’s new Heat and Heating Module, which promises to be fun for students while allowing them to learn about energy and take home valuable energy lessons. These leaders and others across the country will be working with 4-H after school, clubs, summer camps, and other programs involving 4-H students. In Frederick County, a new partnership with BP Solar will bring NEED resources to county schools.

MASSACHUSETTS
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 programs in Massachusetts continue to expand on the successful Cape Light Compact and Cape Cod Cooperative Extension NEED partnership. NEED workshops are provided to interested schools and curriculum materials aligned to the Massachusetts curriculum framework provide educators with tools to reduce energy consumption in classrooms and to meet their
science and social studies needs.

CAPE COD

Solar is the word for this year, and 21 schools on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard will have their own 2.0 kW Photovoltaic electrical systems installed through the efforts of the Cape Light Compact and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Complete with Data Acquisition Systems (DAS), these systems will be great tools for education efforts in renewable energy. In the fall, each school with a PV installation will receive a NEED Schools Going Solar kit for use in the classroom to enhance the PV lessons.

The Martha’s Vineyard Energy Day held in May showcased a solar car race for local elementary school students and many tips on how to use more renewable energy and conservation in our daily lives. An action packed teacher’s workshop was held in the winter where teachers learned how to make wind turbines and energy efficient houses (Energy House) and how to bring these lessons back to their classrooms.

Within the school programs, we have seen increase use of the NEED materials and an infusion into the schools’ science curriculum. Students and teachers have formed both in-classroom and after school energy clubs and have helped the community learn more about energy conservation, renewable energy and fossil fuels through energy carnivals and assistance in Cape Light Compact’s fall “turn-in” events (where homeowners are able to turn in their old inefficient air conditioner and dehumidifier in exchange for money off towards a new energy star model).

Together, the Cape Light Compact and the Barnstable County Cooperative Extension reach many MA teachers through their outreach efforts with the NEED project. NEED materials and kits are always available to area teachers free of charge through our sponsorship as well as teacher workshops and in-service trainin

Sponsors: Cape Light Compact; Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, Barnstable County; Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

MICHIGAN
Michigan NEED Program
Contact: Keith Etheridge
1415 Sherwood Avenue
East Lansing, MI 48823
Tel: (517) 410-8795
Fax: (517) 351-8663
Email: ketheridge@need.org
Web: www.need.org

NEED's Michigan programs continue to grow, thanks to the hard work of our lead teachers and the support of our sponsors. Lead Teacher Shelly Baumann and the North Rockford Middle School Energy Team lead two workshops, one for Southwest Michigan teachers at Southwest Michigan College in Dowagiac and one for West Michigan teachers in partnership with Grand Valley State University. Eleanor Fradis and students from Bagley Elementary School in Detroit hosted a workshop for Detroit Public School teachers. Lead Teacher Connie Josvai and the Kennedy Elementary NEED Team conducted a workshop for Northwest Michigan teachers in Traverse City. The Michigan Oil and Gas Producers’ Education Foundation (MOGPEF) and the Michigan Oil and Gas Association sponsored the Traverse City workshop. Participating schools receive NEED materials, training, and participate in the Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement.
In 2005-2006, the Michigan NEED Project received a grant from the Michigan Energy Office to host two regional teacher/administrator/facilities manager workshops to promote energy education and energy management in Michigan schools. During the 2004-2005 school year, Rebuild Michigan EnergySmart Schools awarded financial incentives to the Laker and Frasier School Districts to implement energy education projects. In the coming year, the EnergySmart Schools Energy Education Incentive Program will not just continue, but expand.

Sponsors: Dart Foundation; American Electric Power; Michigan Energy Office; Michigan Oil and Gas Producers’ Education Foundation; Michigan Oil & Gas Association; American Association of Blacks in Energy - Detroit Chapter, and Urban Options.

MINNESOTA
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

Minnesota is a pilot state for NEED’s new Transportation Fuels programs. Thanks to a grant from the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition, workshops and materials for teachers will be provided.

Sponsor: Governors’ Ethanol Coalition.

MISSISSIPPI
Contact: Gayle Sims, Senior Manager
Mississippi Development Authority—Energy Division
501 N. West Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Tel: (601) 359-6613
Fax: (601) 359-6642

Mississippi has had an active energy education program for years, but Hurricane Katrina added challenges this year. Lisa Campbell, Mississippi NEED Coordinator, says, “Hurricane Katrina knocked us down but not out. The need for energy education in our state became even more apparent after Hurricane Katrina. It seemed that students statewide could relate more to our various programs and energy education activities.” The Mississippi Development Authority provided NEED supplies and curriculum to teachers affected by the hurricanes. The MDA’s Energy Patrol Initiative saw amazing growth with the addition of thirty new schools and two new school districts, including significant additions in Jackson Public Schools—the state’s largest school district.

Mississippi continued their successful energy magazines and tabloids for students, Energy Poster Competition, and outreach efforts, visiting more than 71 classrooms nationwide. Sponsorship was provided for three teachers to attend the 2005 NEED Energy Conference for Educators in New Orleans, and an energy field trip was awarded to Noxubee High School where students had the opportunity to visit Red Hills Lignite Mine and Power Plant. It has been an energetic year.

Sponsor: Mississippi Development Authority - Energy Division.

MISSOURI
Gateway Center for Resource Efficiency
Contact: Glenda Abney, Program Manager
3617 Grandel Square
St. Louis, MO 63143
Tel: (314) 577-0288
Fax: (314) 577-0298
Email: glenda.abney@mobot.org
Web: www.mobot.org

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 Gateway Center promotes the efficient use of energy and resources through education, technology, and partnerships. One of the Center’s key programs is SEED (School Energy Efficiency Development), which reduces utility costs through building improvements, energy education, and behavior changes. Combined with NEED’s energy education program, this works to make school energy efficiency a reality. NEED offers its curriculum materials and teacher/student workshops to school districts
interested in implementing comprehensive energy education programs in their schools. NEED materials integrate well with the Missouri Education Standards.

Sponsors: Missouri Department of Natural Resources–
Division of Energy; U.S. Department of Energy; Missouri Botanical Gardens; Parkway ISC; Laclede Gas, and participating school districts.

MONTANA
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

Montana is a pilot state for NEED’s new Transportation Fuels programs. Thanks to a grant from the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition, workshops and materials for teachers will be provided.

Sponsor: Governors’ Ethanol Coalition.