State, Local and Signature Programs

NEED currently has programs nationwide. These programs vary in size and scope and are funded by national, state, and local energy interests. Thank you to all of the local and regional sponsors who make our State Programs possible. Sponsors, as well as descriptions of state activities, can be found by following the links below.

For details about state programs follow the links below:
A-C | D-I | K-M | N-R | S-W

In 2007, several State and Partner Spotlights appeared in the 2006-2007 Annual Report.  For a glimpse of how NEED works in many different ways, read on...

ALASKA

The Alaska NEED program continues to grow with the dedicated leadership of NEED lead teachers and incredible sponsors and partners. Thanks to the support of BP and the U.S. Department of the Interior—Minerals Management Service and Bureau of Land Management, NEED conducts Alaska training conferences and workshops for educators from across the state. Participants receive 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 attend 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.

INDIANA

Energy education opportunities continue to grow in Indiana, thanks to the support of Citizens Gas, Vectren, Indianapolis Power and Light, Northern Indiana Public Service Company, the Indiana Office of Energy and Defense Development, and Duke Energy Indiana.  NEED Energy Workshops are held for teachers throughout the service area, with a special emphasis on energy management at home and at school. Energy conservation is the focus of a two-day conference for school building operators, providing them with information and training to implement energy saving practices into their schools—to save energy and money for their schools and districts. The student Home Energy Conservation Kit that expands energy savings from schools into students’ homes is provided to over 2,800 families.

NEW MEXICO

NEED programs in New Mexico keep expanding to reach more teachers and students, save school districts valuable energy dollars, and teach more students about Energy on Public Lands.  The support of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management provides workshops and curriculum materials for teachers throughout the state.  BP also expanded it’s A+ for Energy program to include New Mexico teachers, providing $5,000 and $10,000 grants for innovative energy education programming.

  

Ohio

The Ohio Energy Project (OEP) has had an exceptional year energizing teachers and students across Ohio.  Fifty teachers and 540 high school students were trained as energy leaders through OEP’s “Kids Teaching Kids” philosophy.  These student leaders led six Energy Fairs and four Energy Workshops that directly impacted 105 teachers and 1,800 elementary students.

Professional development was an important part of OEP’s program during the 2006-2007 school year.  A variety of courses were offered on energy topics, including nuclear energy, hydrogen fuel cell technology, global climate investigations, Energy 101 and other grade-level specific programs.  Fifteen professional development programs impacted 300 teachers who teach 40,000 Ohio students.

RHODE ISLAND 

The Rhode Island NEED Project reaches more than 300 schools thanks to the support of the Rhode Island State Energy Office and Narragansett Electric – National Grid. Schools receive NEED Energy Management for Schools kits and curriculum materials. Each of these programs, with State Energy Office support, helps schools save valuable energy dollars and learn more about energy. Conducting 12 statewide energy education workshops for teachers and students, NEED reaches out to thousands of students and teachers each year. Teachers participate in NEED Energy Conferences for Educators in the summer, and students prepare scrapbooks for entry in the Youth Awards Program. NEED’s partners arrange field trips and mentorship for students and teachers. A new solar schools demonstration at Park View Middle School showcases the NEED Schools Going Solar curriculum and research program.  Teachers from all solar demonstration schools received training to use the NEED kits and materials and to be able to tie solar energy into their classrooms. 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company - California

The PG&E Solar Schools Program continues to thrive in central and northern California.  In 2006-2007, over 800 educators received training at PG&E Solar Schools Workshops, NEED Science of Energy Kits, NEED Solar Kits, and the opportunity to apply for $2,500 or $5,000 Bright Ideas Grants and Pole-mounted Photovoltaic Systems. 

Dominion – Texas, Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Virginia, Wisconsin and Connecticut

Teachers are benefiting from an expansion of NEED’s partnership with Dominion—providing teacher training, classroom curriculum, and hands-on kits to educators in Dominion communities.

BP’s A+ for Energy Program – California, Texas, New Mexico, Alabama, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana

In 2007, BP’s A+ for Energy program expanded beyond California and Texas to New Mexico, Alabama, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Alberta, Canada.  As BP’s Education Partner, NEED co-hosts the A+ for Energy Educator Training Conferences each summer and provides selected curriculum materials to teachers receiving BP’s $5,000 and $10,000 grants. 

American Electric Power Foundation – Virginia, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas

In 2006-2007, American Electric Power Foundation provided support for NEED to expand its offerings in Virginia, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas.  Teachers and students in these regions will benefit from additional NEED workshops and new classroom curriculum.

American Wind Energy Association

In 2007, AWEA, NEED, and KidWind teamed up to create expanded wind energy units for the primary, elementary, intermediate, and secondary audience.  Using the exciting KidWind curriculum as a foundation, NEED and its wind committee created an inquiry based wind and electricity unit that will help even the youngest students understand wind generated electricity. 

Hydropower Research Foundation and National Hydropower Association

Students around the country will have an opportunity to learn more about the energy in moving water as NEED, the HRF, and NHA come together to create hydropower units at four levels designed to help students and teachers to understand the science of hydropower.

National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges

Partnering with NASULGC and the U.S. Department of Energy, NEED completed the training and curriculum unit The Science of Motion designed for use in the 4-H Afterschool and Cooperative Extension Service programming.  The third module follows the Science of Light and the Science of Heat. 

Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Offshore Technology Conference – Texas

In the first effort of its kind, NEED and the Society of Petroleum Engineers hosted 100 Houston-area educators at the Energy Education Institute held as part of the Offshore Technology conference.  Educators participated in NEED curriculum workshops, toured the OTC exhibit floor, and network with the offshore-related professional societies. 

Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy – Virginia

The Virginia DMME continues to support teacher workshops on the science of energy, sources of energy, electricity, and efficiency in the Commonwealth.  This year, in response to the recommendations of the Virginia Hydrogen Roundtable, a H2 Educate program is available to Virginia teachers.  In early 2007,the Virginia legislature provided additional funds for hydrogen workshops to the Virginia Department of Education for the expansion of the H2 Educate program.

U.S. Department of the Interior – New Mexico, Alaska, California, Florida, and Colorado

As a partner of both the Minerals Management Service and the Bureau of Land Management, NEED continues to support curriculum materials like Energy on Public Lands and Ocean Energy and provides teacher workshops in key regions for MMS and BLM. 

For details about other state programs follow the links below:

A-C | D-I | K-M | N-R | S-W
Upcoming Local and State Workshops and Presentations