Energy Education Workshops for Educators
NEED is expanding and evolving to best meet the needs of both teachers and students – in the classroom and beyond. Educators know that participating in NEED workshops provides them an opportunity to improve their personal energy knowledge while receiving valuable training and ideas to use in and out of their classrooms – no matter what grade level or subject they teach.
Working with education and energy advisors, NEED designs and delivers professional development opportunities for teachers that not only educate, but also energize, and bring that energy into their classrooms, afterschool programs/clubs, and even scouting troops.
NEED works with sponsors and partners to be able to offer professional development energy training workshops during the week (substitute reimbursement provided), on weekends (a stipend for spending a Saturday with us), and virtually, to allow all teachers the chance to participate. Thanks to our sponsors, the workshops are free to attend and most include the opportunity to receive a NEED energy kit at no cost, in addition to NEED's already free curriculum and resources.
2025 Energy Education Workshop Highlights
Thanks to our sponsors and partners, NEED had the pleasure of hosting 126 professional development energy education workshops throughout 2025. We were joined by 2,616 teachers representing 1,626 schools across 916 cities, 36 states, and Washington, D.C.
NEED’s hands-on energy professional development continues to deliver meaningful impact. Based on 2,060 workshop evaluation responses received in 2025, participants reported using NEED materials and curriculum with at least 536,983 students. Note that this figure reflects only students reached by surveyed workshop participants and does not include additional student outreach beyond one-day educator workshops.
NEED makes training fun, engaging, and impactful! As we celebrated 45 years of energy education, we were proud to welcome a majority (72%) of educators who had never previously attended an energy training. Even more encouraging, 99% of workshop attendees agreed that participating in the workshop increased their own energy knowledge and will better enable them to enhance their students’ understanding of energy.
An energy-themed pre and post assessment is administered at each workshop, with 2025 aggregate post-assessment scores reflecting an average 92% increase in knowledge gain.
Word of mouth remains one of our most effective marketing tools! We're happy to report that 99% of participants will recommend NEED curriculum and attending a workshop to others.
Stay connected and don’t miss out! Professional development opportunities are continually added to our Event Calendar throughout the year, both nationwide and virtually. Join us for hands-on energy learning, networking, and ready-to-use resources to bring back to your students!
For more information, to join our database, update your contact information, or to inquire about upcoming opportunities, please email info@need.org.
"This was a highly engaging workshop! One of the best I have ever attended in 31 years of teaching! Thanks!"
– 2025 Workshop Participant
"These workshops are always fun and remind me why I wanted to be a teacher."
– 2025 Workshop Participant
"Workshop was amazing! Excellent mix of exploration and hands-on. No time to get bored. In addition to energy, modeled multiple excellent teaching strategies."
– 2025 Workshop Participant
"Thank you so much for this professional learning opportunity. It is a direct tie in to my curriculum. I'm super excited to
bring this information back to my classroom."
– 2025 Workshop Participant
"I was extremely impressed with the presenter and the many stimulating activities. It was the BEST PD I have attended in 20+ years."
– 2025 Workshop Participant
"This was the most relevant, organized, professional, applicable, interesting, and thorough PD I have ever attended! It was excellent! Thank you for the curriculum materials!"
– 2025 Workshop Participant
2025 Energy Education Workshop Highlights
Please note that these numbers represent participation from teachers in our one-day professional development trainings only.
NEED’s impact extends even further through student and teacher partner programs, conferences, conventions, community outreach, and other educational initiatives.
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"Excellent! Love this workshop, I always learn a lot for my students’ benefit and myself. "
– 2025 Workshop Participant
"Great workshop and a terrific investment of my time!"
– 2025 Workshop Participant
