2025 NEED National Energy Conference for Educators
July 13-17, 2025 · Louisville, KY
Each summer, NEED hosts a National Energy Conference to bring together educators from across the country (and even overseas) that are passionate about learning and teaching about energy and STEM! Through five interactive days, the conference provides educators with the most up-to-date information on all aspects of energy including the science of energy, sources of energy, transportation, climate science, electricity transmission and generation, efficiency and conservation, and more!
Conference participants receive training and materials to implement innovative hands-on energy units in their classrooms, multi-disciplinary teams, and Out-of-School Time (OST) programs. NEED facilitators at the conference help participants develop specialized units that meet state standards and can be utilized with students of all learning styles.
This July in Louisville, KY, 80 educators from across the nation came together for five energizing days of hands-on training and collaboration. Participants powered up their teaching toolkits by diving into the science of energy, electricity generation and transmission, energy efficiency and conservation, energy storage, transportation, climate science, literacy connections, and career and workforce development pathways for students.
Join us in Music City this summer! The 2026 National Energy Education Conference will take place July 12-16, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Applications are accepted through May 1st. Click here to view more details and to apply.
Be sure to explore the conference photo gallery for a glimpse into the collaborative, hands-on energy learning that takes place each summer.
In my 30+ years of teaching and professional development experiences, I rank this NEED Conference in my "Top 3" best all around for organization, content, and quality. Thank you!
Bob Thompson Excellence in Energy Education Award
In addition to our annual conference, we were proud to recognize and present awards to our 2025 Bob Thompson Excellence in Energy Education Award winners. Established in memory of long-time NEED educator and enthusiast Bob Thompson, this award celebrates teachers who exemplify his childlike wonder for science and passion for energy education. Recipients receive a $1,000 check and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the NEED National Energy Conference for Educators, honoring their dedication to inspiring students and advancing energy learning in classrooms across the country. The 2025 National Energy Conference was especially meaningful, as many past Bob Thompson Excellence in Energy Education Award recipients (pictured above) were in attendance, including NEED Conference facilitator, Erin Gockel, the very first recipient of the award in 2013.
Applications for the 2027 Bob Thompson Excellence in Energy Education Award are due by February 1, 2027. You can learn more about this award opportunity here.
Massachusetts Energy Conference for Educators
August 4-6, 2025 · Hyannis, MA
Bigger than ever, we welcomed 106 Massachusetts teachers to Hyannis, MA for three energizing days of hands-on learning and exploration in energy education. Topics included the science of energy, offshore and onshore wind energy, solar energy, climate science, MA electric connections, and more! This conference is offered at no cost thanks to the sponsors of Mass Save.
Check out all of the great photos taken throughout the conference here.
"This has been one of the best conferences that I have been to in a long time. So many takeaways that I will be able to incorporate into my curriculum immediately. Thank you so much!"
Throughout 2025, NEED delivered hands-on sessions, exhibited, and shared classroom resources with thousands of educators at science teacher conferences and conventions, as well as at school and community STEM events nationwide.
- Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE) Conference · Long Beach, CA · January 15-18
- Dallas ISD STEM Fair · Dallas, TX · January 25
- Gower West Elementary STEM Night · Willowbrook, IL · January 30
- D.C. Teachers' Night · Washington, D.C. · February 13
- Ranch View STEAM Fair · Naperville, IL · February 26
- Huntingtown Energy Expo · Huntingtown, MD · February 27
- West Virginia Science Fair · March 4th
- University of Houston - Clear Lake (UHCL) · Houston, TX · March 1
- California League of Middle Schools (CLMS) Conference · Monterey, CA · March 6-8
- Georgetown STREAM Fair · Aurora, IL · March 19
- National STEM Festival · Washington, D.C. · March 20
- Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) Conference · Philadelphia, PA · March 23-26
- National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Spring Conference · Philadelphia, PA · March 26-29
- Illinois STEM Fest · Romeoville, IL · April 12
- Student Environmental Alliance Summit (SEA25) · Bladensburg, MD · April 24
- Science of State Street Festival · Framingham, MA · April 26
- Eastern Massachusetts' Annual STEM Fest · Waltham, MA · May 3
- NextGen STEM Festival · Waltham, MA · May 10
- Region 4 Science Conference · Houston, TX · June 12
- California Association of Science Educators (CASE) Conference · Palm Springs, CA · Oct 17-19
- West Virginia Science Teachers Association (WVSTA) Conference · Canaan Valley, WV · Oct 23-25
- Illinois Science Teachers Association (ISTA) Conference · Naperville, IL · Oct 24
- Washington Science Teachers Association (WSTA) Conference · Tacoma, WA · Oct 25
- Region 4 Texas Science Conference · Houston, TX · Oct 28
- Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers (MAST) Conference · Marlborough, MA · Nov 5
- National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS) · Raleigh, NC · Nov 5-8
- Association for Middle Level (AMLE) Conference · Indianapolis, IN · Nov 5-8
- Louisiana Science Teachers Association (LSTA)/Louisiana Association of Math Teachers (LATM) Conference · Baton Rouge, LA · Nov 6-7
- New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) Convention · Atlantic City, NJ · Nov 6-7
- North Carolina Science Teachers Association (NCSTA) Conference · Winston-Salem, NC · Nov 6-7
- Virginia Association of Science Teachers (VAST) Conference · Alexandria, VA · Nov 13-15
- Conference for the Advancement of Science Teacher (CAST) Conference · Dallas, TX · Nov 13-15
Keep your eye on the NEED Event Calendar to join us at upcoming 2026 workshop, conference, and convention opportunities!
