2012-2013 PECO Energizing Education Program

Thank you for your interest in the program. The application deadline for 2012-2013 participation has passed.

What is the PECO Energizing Education Program? 

CLICK HERE to watch the video on SmugMug.

The PECO program is "project-based," combining a five-week classroom module with hands-on kits and curriculum, with a school student energy audit, a PECO sponsored field trip (optional), and a cash grant to support the school's implementation of an energy and environment focused community project. The program is designed to be implemented in grades 6-8*. The program materials are sponsored for up to 80* students to participate at each school.

*PECO will review applications that include grades other than 6-8 and more than 80 students on a case-by-case basis.

What does the School Receive?

 The PECO Energizing Education Program includes:

1. Two-Day Teacher Training—November 16-17, 2012—at The Franklin Institute (substitutes and stipends paid)
2. Curriculum and hands-on kits to teach about energy transformations, solar energy, wind generation, hydropower, and energy efficiency.

3. An Educational Energy Audit that engages students in the audit of the school building.

4. A cash grant of up to $1,500 to support the school's selection of and implementation of an energy-focused community outreach project.

5. PECO sponsored field trip. (optional)

What is the School's Commitment?

1. Select a science and/or technology teacher(s) to supervise implementation of the program. It is recommended that no fewer than two teachers participate—to provide support for each other and to reach the most students. Consider selecting a career and technology teacher and a science teacher. Selected faculty will participate in a mandatory two-day training session (November 16-17, 2012) at The Franklin Institute. This training session is designed and delivered by The NEED Project and The Franklin Institute. Act 48 credit is provided as are stipends and substitute reimbursement.

2. Work with students, faculty, parents and community members to plan and implement an energy-focused community outreach project to be completed by May 1, 2012. Be sure to select a community partner to work within the implementation of the project. Develop and submit a budget to show how you will use the PECO cash grant for this project.

3. Incorporate PECO's energy-focused curriculum and related activities into your 6th-8th grade science and technology classrooms/programs between October and late April.

4. Work with NEED to plan for the Educational Energy Audit experience for a select team of students. NEED's Certified Energy Manager, Todd Rogers, will work with a group of students to survey the school building and make recommendations for increasing energy conservation in the school. Students execute both school and home energy audits.

5. Organize a PECO sponsored field trip (optional).

6. Execute the community project and create a presentation, video, or student performance about the project and its results to submit for review and for students to present at PECO Energizing Education Night in May 2013. Projects will be reviewed and top projects selected to present. (Required)

7. Participate in mandatory mid-year check-in evaluations and calls to be certain the program is progressing as planned.

8. Complete teacher and student evaluations and submit to NEED no later than May 30, 2013.

Resources for 2012-2013 Program Year

- PECO Energizing Education Program brochure
- Sample Budget Template (doc)
- Sample Budget Ideas
- NEED Video Recommendations (pdf)
- NEED Pennsylvania Standards Alignment (xls) - Warning: Big File - Don't try and print!
- Hydropower Presentation (ppt)
- Solar Presentation (ppt)
- Wind Presentation (ppt)

Resources from Prior Program Years
These may be helpful as you plan your participation.

- The 2010-2011 PECO Energizing Education Program Teacher Guide
- 2010-2011 PECO Energizing Education Participating Schools
- 2010-2011 Teacher Evaluation
- 2011-2012 Teacher Evaluation
- 2010-2011 Student Evaluation
- 2011-2012 Student Evaluation
- 2010-2011 PECO Energizing Education Press Release and story on Yahoo! Finance
- School Presentations from 2011 Ceremony: Barton Elementary, John Fitch Elementary, and Maple Shade Elementary
- Program from the 2012 PECO Energizing Education Ceremony
- Photos from the 2011 PECO Energizing Education Ceremony

ABOUT THE PARTNERS

PECO, NEED, and The Franklin Institute are honored to bring this program to PECO schools.  NEED and The Franklin Institute have a variety of resources for use in the K-12 Classroom.

The Franklin Institute

Since 1824, The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has been a stalwart in the informal science education community, as well as a premier cultural institution for the nation.  With its explicit mission "to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology," The Franklin Institute has successfully merged science education for all with a keen appreciation for community engagement and civic responsibility.  In 2008, in recognition for almost two centuries of excellence, distinguished service and community commitment, The Franklin Institute was awarded the prestigious Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Medal for museum service.

The Institute's innovative science education programs have exemplified the benefits of collaborative partnerships between science centers, corporations, and public education systems, and is proud of its association with this PECO initiative.  Through its dynamic programs and areas of practice, The Franklin Institute has left its footprint both regionally and nationally on K-12 science education, and has also significantly impacted family and community science awareness.  These programs include: Gender and Families in Science; Professional Development; Educational Technologies; Youth Programs; and its magnet public high school, the Science Leadership Academy.  As the Institute continues to develop its signature programs, its newfound collaborations with public school districts, as well as private corporations such as PECO, redefine, the boundaries and scope of impact for informal science learning environments.

The Franklin Institute's Resources for Science Learning
- Ben Franklin's Lightning Rod
- Edison's Light Bulb
- Weather Instruments
- Case Files: Energy (Click the link to Energy on the left side navigation area.) Features the stories of pioneering scientists and technologists.
- The Lightning Rod: Created by a 1^st grade teacher for use in early elementary classrooms.
- Community Science Action Guides: Many of the sections of this site focus on water and energy.
- Curricular Companions: These Companions were developed specifically for teachers in the School District of Philadelphia, but they can be useful for anyone seeking annotated links to external sites. Earth science and energy themes are prominent.

National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project

The mission of the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business, government and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs. The NEED Project is dedicated to developing innovative energy education materials and training programs for teachers and students. Launched by Congressional Resolution in 1980, the NEED Program is now a dynamic force in more than 65,000 classrooms nationwide. 

The NEED Project's multi-sided training and instructional programs on all aspects of energy, including production, consumption, and economic and environmental issues, give students an understanding of the interrelationship between energy and the environment. More importantly, NEED's student-directed activities empower students to take active roles in educating their peers, families, and communities about energy issues. NEED programs focus on developing a clear understanding of the science of energy, and then building knowledge of the sources of energy, uses of energy, and the conservation and efficiency of energy.

NEED Curriculum Guides organized by: Grade Level, Subject Matter, and Title.

Saving Energy at Home and School Teacher Guide and Student/Family Guide
- Secondary Solar Teacher and Student Guide
- Intermediate Solar Teacher and Student Guide
- Secondary Wind Teacher and Student Guide
- Intermediate Wind Teacher and Student Guide
- Intermediate Hydropower Teacher and Student Guide