About NEED
THE NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Started in 1980, The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project began as a one-day celebration of energy education when National Energy Education Day was recognized by a Joint Congressional Resolution. In the same year, President Jimmy Carter issued a Presidential Proclamation stressing the need for comprehensive energy education in our schools, a reduction in our dependence of fossil fuels, and increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy technologies. Since its founding over 40 years ago, NEED has kept its Kids Teaching Kids philosophy as a fundamental principle of NEED programming – encouraging students to explore, experiment, engage, and encouraging teachers to embrace student leadership in the classroom. NEED trains and assists teachers in harnessing the energy of the classroom – the energy of students.
NEED is expanding and evolving to best meet the needs of both teachers and students – in the classroom and beyond. In just the last decade The NEED Project has grown to encompass a curriculum portfolio of 100+ teacher and student guides designed to engage and teach teachers and students about energy. At the same time, the training opportunities offered by NEED expanded to include a variety of teacher professional development and training for educators and school district energy personnel as well. NEED’s work in after school programs, student clubs, scouting groups, and home school networks also continues to grow.
NEED students and teachers understand energy
NEED’s reach, program, and portfolio are very different than they were in the early years
The focus is still the importance of student leadership development
That sets NEED apart from being just another curriculum organization. A balanced approach to the discussion of energy is fundamental to how NEED curriculum is written, delivered, and shared. NEED creates curriculum and support for virtually any classroom and at any grade level.
Students use hands-on, inquiry based lessons
Exploring the physics and chemistry of energy
Students engineer turbines and generators, testing their models for maximum electricity output. Students write and perform plays about energy in drama class, calculate payback periods of energy efficient appliances in math class, and discuss the history and human impact of energy use in social studies.
Getting Students Involved in Energy
Students learn how to design buildings better to maximize energy efficiency and to keep our buildings healthy. In career and technology classrooms students are installing solar panels, monitoring wind turbine output, learning about oil and gas exploration in shale, and exploring transportation technologies. NEED students are the future of the energy workforce. Students interested in engineering, science, economics, environmental sciences, law, geology and a host of other disciplines have a role in the energy industry.
We work hard to help teachers meet the requirements of state standards, Common Core, and the Next Generation Science Standards. As states adopt their new standards, NEED will continue working to provide state alignments to our entire curriculum portfolio. We know this helps teachers teach more energy in their classrooms and we’ll continue to work hard to give teachers all they need.
THE NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
CURRICULUM
Students at all grade levels learn about all aspects of energy—science of energy, energy sources, electricity, transportation, efficiency & conservation
THE NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
LEADERSHIP
THE NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
RECOGNITION
NEED encourages and rewards student leadership and innovation by sponsoring a Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement.
THE NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
EVENTS
THE NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
#EnergyAwarenessMonthWant to boost your gas mileage? A simple tire pressure gauge can make a big difference! 🚗💨 Our lessons on Energy Bottom Line and Smart Mobility empower students to understand the energy choices they and their families make every day. bit.ly/36XlhqG
We’ll be there! Visit our booth and join a hands-on session we’re presenting!NSTA’s fall conference in New Orleans is less than one month away! You don’t want to miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching at the most exciting professional development event for science educators. Register for NOLA24 at bit.ly/3TVOirT, and take advantage of over 1,000 sessions and workshops, stay ahead of the curve with our leadership institute, and discover the future of science education in our Expo Hall. #NSTAFall24 #NOLA #Science #STEM #STEMEd #Education
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Looking to seeing you. It is going to be a great conference.
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