Media Release
For Immediate Release – August 5, 2021
Contact: Mary Spruill, Executive Director
703-257-1117; info@need.org; www.need.org
NEED Announces partnership for New Children’s Book Featuring 26 Energy Superheroes
Everyday Superheroes: Women in Energy features 26 women who are powering our planet.
August 5, 2021: The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project is pleased to announce a new partnership with award-winning children’s book authors Erin Twamley and Joshua Sneideman. Together, this innovative partnership anticipates sharing the careers, stories, and superpowers of 26 female energy superheroes who are powering our planet with teachers and students across the US.
Everyday Superheroes: Women in Energy, written by Erin Twamley, Joshua Sneideman and co-author Katie Mehnert will share energy careers with kids. This book is part of a series of children’s books that focuses on the importance of multicultural representations of women in the sciences. Using an A-to-Z format these books share the careers in STEM that are making an impact on the world. The NEED Project is leading the way for a more energy-conscious society one teacher at a time. A major part of NEED’s mission is to supply high-quality curricula, activities, professional development, and other free energy resources to educators and students. That’s where the new partnership between NEED and the Everyday Superheroes authors comes into play. The nonprofit’s involvement with the inspirational book series gives educators even more resources for introducing energy concepts in addition to the energy careers. NEED will be the recipient of a one-to-one program, receiving a donated copy for a NEED teacher with each book sold.
It is important to note that STEM support for elementary schools is sorely lacking. For instance, studies show that K-3 students spend approximately 89 minutes on reading and language arts per day, only 57 minutes on math, and a dismal 18 minutes on science. Though the time spent on math and science increases to an estimated 63 and 27 minutes by grades 4-6, these averages still show that we aren’t doing enough in STEM for our youngest learners.
A further study shows a shocking statistic: 66% of women surveyed admit that they were not encouraged to explore careers in STEM. This prompts the question of what can be done to give girls the resources and support they need to keep the STEM career doors open.
Announced by award winning author Erin Twamley on July 20, 2021, educators heard for the first time about the book and the careers of 26 Energy Superheroes to be featured in the book. Everyday Superheroes: Women in Energy is set to be released March 2022 by publisher WiseInk and unveiled at a Book Launch Party with ALLY Energy. NEED will use this new book to encourage teachers nationwide to share more about energy careers and building a sustainable future. When asked about Twamley’s thoughts on her partnership with NEED, Twamley stated, “We are thrilled to be working with the nation’s leading nonprofit that focuses on energy education.”
Join the movement today to get involved in encouraging school-aged education on energy and the diverse female faces behind the energy industry.
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