Home

The 2011-2012 PECO Energizing Education Program

Image

2011 PECO Energizing Education Program – Online Application (also available as a printable PDF and DOC file)

What’s the PECO Energizing Education Program?

Click here to watch the video on SmugMug.

The PECO program is “project-based,” combining a five-week classroom module with hands-on kits and curriculum, with a school student energy audit, a PECO sponsored field trip (optional), and a cash grant to support the school’s implementation of an energy and environment focused community project. The program is designed to be implemented in grades 6-8*. In 2011, PECO selected 17 schools to participate. The program materials are sponsored for up to 80* students to participate at each school.

* PECO will review applications that include grades other than 6-8 and more than 80 students on a case by case basis.

What Resources Does the School Receive?

 The PECO Energizing Education Program includes:

1. Two- Day Teacher Training - Nov./Dec. 2011 at The Franklin Institute (substitutes and stipends paid)
2. Curriculum and hands-on kits to teach about:

  • energy transformations
  • solar energy
  • wind generation
  • hydropower
  • energy efficiency

3. A Educational Energy Audit that engages students in the audit of the school building

4. A cash grant of up to $1,500 to support the school’s selection of and implementation of an energy-focused community outreach project.

5. PECO sponsored field trip (optional)

What is the School’s Commitment?

  • Select a science and/or technology teacher (s) to supervise implementation of the program. It is recommended that no fewer than two teachers participate – to provide support for each other and to reach the most students. Consider selecting a career and technology teacher and a science teacher. Selected faculty will participate in a mandatory two-day training session at The Franklin Institute. This training session is designed and delivered by The NEED Project and The Franklin Institute. Act 48 credit is provided as are stipends and substitute reimbursement.
  • Work with students, faculty, parents and community members to plan and implement an energy-focused community outreach project to be completed by May 1, 2012. Be sure to select a community partner to work within the implementation of the project. Develop and submit a budget to show how you will use the PECO cash grant for this project.
  • Incorporate PECO’s energy-focused curriculum and related activities into your 6h – 8th grade science and technology classrooms/programs during between October and late April.
  • Work with NEED to plan for the Educational Energy Audit experience for a select team of students. NEED’s Certified Energy Manager, Todd Rogers, will work with a group of students to survey the school building and make recommendations for increasing energy conservation in the school. Students execute both school and home energy audits.
  • Organize a PECO sponsored field trip (optional).
  • Execute the community project and create a presentation, video, student performance about the project and its results to submit for review and for students to present at PECO Energizing Education Night in May 2012. Projects will be reviewed and top projects selected to present. (Required)
  • Participate in mandatory mid-year check-in evaluations and calls to be certain the program is progressing as planned.
  • Complete teacher and student evaluations and submit to NEED no later than May 30, 2012.

2011-2012 Program Resources

NEED curriculum guides organized by: Grade Level, Subject Matter, and Title

The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute has vast resources for teaching about energy and electricity. The links below bring users the best of The Franklin’s energy links for use in classroom programs.  

Historical Resources

Classroom Resources:

  • The Lightning Rod: Created by a 1st grade teacher for use in early elementary classrooms.
  • Community Science Action Guides: Many of the sections of this site focus on water and energy.
  • Curricular Companions: These Companions were developed specifically for teachers in the School District of Philadelphia, but they can be useful for anyone seeking annotated links to external sites. Earth science and energy themes run across these, as you’ll see.

School Energy Audit Presentations from the PECO Showcase

About the Partners

PECO, NEED and The Franklin Institute are honored to bring this program to PECO schools.  NEED and The Franklin Institute have a variety of resources for use in the K-12 Classroom.

The Franklin Institute and The Center for Innovation in Science Learning

ImageSince 1824, The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA has become a stalwart in the informal science industry, as well as, a premier cultural institution for the nation.  With its explicit mission “to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology” The Franklin Institute has successfully married science education for all with a keen appreciation for community engagement and civic responsibility.  In its entirety, The Franklin Institute comprises: The Science Center – which includes the science museum, exhibits and programs; The Franklin Center – responsible for the lauded Awards program, The Journal of The Franklin Institute, the library, and the curatorial and collections department; and The Center for Innovation in Science Learning – which houses much of the educational and grant based programs.   In 2008, in recognition for almost two centuries of excellence, distinguished service and community commitment, The Franklin Institute was awarded the prestigious Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Medal for 2008.

The Center for Innovation in Science Learning has exemplified the benefits of collaborative partnerships between Science Centers, corporations and public education systems, and is proud of its association with this PECO initiative.  Through its dynamic programs and areas of practice, the Center for Innovation has left its footprint both regionally and nationally on K-12 science education, and has also significantly impacted family and community science awareness.  These programs include: Gender and Families in Science; Professional Development; Educational Technologies; Youth Programs; and the magnet public high school – Science Leadership Academy.  As the Center for Innovation continues to develop its signature programs, its newfound collaborations with public school districts, as well as private corporations such as PECO, redefine the boundaries and scope of impact for informal science learning environments.

National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project

ImageThe mission of the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business, government and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs. The NEED Project is dedicated to developing innovative energy education materials and training programs for teachers and students. Launched by Congressional Resolution in 1980, the NEED Program is now a dynamic force in more than 65,000 classrooms nationwide. 

The NEED Project's multi-sided training and instructional programs on all aspects of energy, including production, consumption, and economic and environmental issues, give students an understanding of the interrelationship between energy and the environment. More important, NEED's student-directed activities empower students to take active roles in educating their peers, families, and communities about energy issues. NEED programs focus on developing a clear understanding of the science of energy, and then building knowledge of the sources of energy, uses of energy, and the conservation and efficiency of energy.

 

Social Media

Facebook Twitter SmugMug

The NEED Project - 8408 Kao Circle, Manassas, Virginia 20110
Phone: 703.257.1117; Fax: 703.257.0037