The Kentucky NEED Project

The Kentucky affiliate of the NEED Project
Contact Karen Reagor, Director
Kentucky NEED Project
P.O. Box 176055
Covington , Kentucky 41017
Phone: 866-736-8941
Fax: 866-736-8942
Email: kreagor@need.org

What is Kentucky NEED?

Kentucky NEED is the state affiliate of the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, a nonprofit education association, dedicated since 1980, to equipping students and teachers with a realistic understanding of the scientific, economic and environmental impacts of energy.  Kentucky NEED takes a holistic approach to energy, providing core content-aligned curriculum for students, professional development for teachers and energy management programs for school operations and maintenance staff.

Kentucky NEED receives funding from a variety of sponsors who support making energy education training and curriculum materials readily available to schools throughout the Commonwealth.  Programs include: K-12 energy education materials that have been correlated to the Kentucky Core Content standards; professional development workshops for teachers; energy management programs for schools and workshops for school operations and management staff.

The 2008 Fall Issue of the Kentucky NEED Spotlight highlights the upcoming opportunities for schools. 


Fall 2008 Kentucky NEED Energy Workshops
Kentucky NEED hosts a series of teacher workshops across the Commonwealth each year.  These workshops are packed with curriculum materials and resources to teach energy in any discipline and at any grade level.  Participants will receive use of NEED’s hands-on Science of Energy Kits, Energy Management for Schools Kits and much more.   All NEED materials are correlated to Kentucky’s Core Content. 

This workshop will provide valuable information to teach energy content; support for those who are working on the Green & Healthy Schools energy inventory; and resources to facilitate forming an energy team at your school. 

There is NO cost for participating educators.  A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.   Substitute reimbursement is provided for up to two teachers per school – participants will receive a reimbursement form at the END of the workshop.  The fall workshop schedule is listed on the calendar below.

To register download and fax the Registration Form in Word or PDF. The schedule:

November 12 -- Prestonsburg              Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
November 13 -- Barbourville                 Union College
November 17 -- Henderson                  Henderson County Coop. Extension
November 18 -- Cave City                    Cave City Convention Center
November 25 -- Grayson                      Kentucky Christian University
December 3  --   Florence                     Gateway Community College
December 8 -- Hazard                        Hazard Community College
December 9  -- Georgetown                 Conference Center at Georgetown

Kentucky NEED partnerships in state-wide initiatives include:

2008 Change a Light, Change the World Mini-Grant Program
Kentucky NEED and the Department of Energy Development and Independenceare offering
mini-grants in the amount of $350.00 to groups who wish to facilitate activities in their schools
and communities in support of the Change a Light, Change the World - Start with ENERGY STAR campaign.
Kentucky NEED is registered as a pledge driver and we encourage Kentuckians across the Commonwealth to get involved. Schools, colleges and universities (non-profit and for-profit) and non-profit organizations such as scouting organizations, 4-H clubs, municipalities and other non-profit groups or organizations. 

To apply, complete the Grant Application by October 15 (via mail) and October 17 (via fax). Be sure to sign the Change a Light Change the World Pledge too!

Kentucky’s Green & Healthy Schools  (http://www.greenschools.ky.gov/)
The Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools (KGHS) Program is a new, voluntary effort to empower students and staff with the tools needed to take action and make their school operate at peak efficiency. KGHS incorporates a two-pronged approach. New or renovated schools may include a “green and healthy” design from the start. Existing schools participate as students inventory current school operations and implement action plans to improve school health and sustainability. Recognition and awards are administered through the Kentucky Environmental Education Council in cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Education and the Green and Healthy Schools Task Force.  Kentucky NEED is a resource to assist students in completing their Energy Inventory and/or developing their Energy Action Plan.

KEEPS (Kentucky Energy Efficiency Program for Schools) (http://louisville.edu/kppc/keeps)
The Kentucky Energy Efficiency Program for Schools (KEEPS) helps Kentucky school districts reduce energy consumption and lower operating expenses.  KEEPS offers participants a complete package of tools, training, coaching and expertise. KPPC also provides tools that allow KEEPS participants to analyze and understand their energy consumption, which includes everything from light usage and heating/air conditioning issues to natural gas usage and best environmental management practices.  Kentucky House Bill 2 Section 16 was signed into law on April 24, 2008 requiring all public school districts to enroll in the KEEPS program by Jan. 1, 2010.  Kentucky NEED assists districts who wish to build on the findings of their KEEPS evaluation to develop student energy teams, empowered to educate building occupants about the importance of practicing wise energy decision making in the school and at home.

Kentucky High Performance Sustainable Schools Workshops
Kentucky NEED is partnering with the Department of Energy Development and Independence, KEEPS and the KY School Plant Managers Association (KSPMA) to host a series of workshops across the Commonwealth that will focus on energy management for K-12 schools.  Schools will be invited to send a team, consisting of administrators, faculty and facilities staff, to learn best practices for implementing an energy management program in their schools.  Workshop dates and locations will be posted in the near future.

Kentucky NEED Energy Conference for Educators
This five day tour of energy sites in Kentucky will provide educators with an inside look at energy production sites and opportunities to meet some of Kentucky’s energy professionals.  Space is limited to 24 participants. Both formal and informal educators are encouraged to apply.  Applications will be available in the spring so check back to download the application.

2008 - 2009 Kentucky NEED Calendar
          October 20              Energy WISE Training           Kenton County
          October 27              Energy WISE Training           Kenton County
          November 6-8           KSTA Conference                Lexington Convention Center
          November 12           Prestonsburg  Workshop     Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
          November 13           Barbourville Workshop         Union College
          November 17           Henderson Workshop          Henderson County Coop. Ext.
          November 18           Cave City Workshop            Cave City Convention Center
          November 25           Grayson Workshop              Kentucky Christian University
           December 3             Florence Workshop             Gateway Community College
          December 4-6           NSTA Regional Conf.           Cincinnati, OH
          December 8              Hazard Workshop                Hazard Community College
          December 9             Georgetown Workshop        Conference Center at Georgetown
          February 17             HP Schools Workshop          TBA
          February 19             HP Schools Workshop          Owensboro
          February 24             HP Schools Workshop          Georgetown
          February 26             HP Schools Workshop          TBA
          March 3                   HP Schools Workshop           Prestonsburg
          March 5                   HP Schools Workshop           Morehead
          April 15                   Youth Awards Projects DUE
          May 19                    Kentucky NEED Youth Awards Luncheon - Frankfort
          June 9 – 12             Kentucky Energy Conference for Educators
          June 26 – 29           NEED Youth Awards Conference - Washington, DC
          July 19 – 23            NEED National Conference for Teachers - Nashville, TN

How do you become involved?
Please write, fax, or email Karen Reagor the Kentucky NEED Director, to learn what sponsorship opportunities available in your community.  Kentucky NEED will keep you up-to-date regarding up-coming workshops, conferences, continuing education opportunities, and new additions to your membership materials. NEED memberships are valid for the duration of the school year.  Memberships are renewed on an annual basis; therefore, participating educators should update their membership information at the beginning of the school year by contacting the Kentucky NEED office.  

Sponsors of the Kentucky NEED Project include:

Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence

Duke Energy – Kentucky

Equitable Resources

Kentucky River Properties

Dart Foundation

Kentucky Oil & Gas Association

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc.