National Energy Education Development Project

The NEED Project Beginnings

Started in 1980, launched by a Congressional resolution spearheaded by Gerard Katz, a New York state physics teacher, the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education association dedicated to promoting a realistic understanding of the scientific, economic, and environmental impacts of energy so that students and teachers can make educated decisions.

On March 20, 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed Proclamation 4738, entitled "National Energy Education Day: By the President of the United States, A Proclamation." The proclamation read, in part:

"There are only two ways that we can reduce the imports of oil from foreign countries. One is to increase production of American energy of all kinds—and we have been blessed with tremendous reserves compared to other nations—and the other is to conserve the energy supplies that we have from all sources. We have made some progress. It has not yet been adequate, but it's been steady. We've more than reduced imports by a million barrels a day—and we expect to make even greater progress this year—since I've been in office, in 1977.

One of the major opportunities that has not yet been explored is to educate our young people—who can be just as effective, perhaps even more so, than many adults—in the facts about energy, what the opportunities are for conservation, and how they themselves can help. In homes, on the job, in transportation—there is a tremendous opportunity not only for young people to learn but also to educate their parents about the facts concerning how we can solve our energy problem through conservation.

A recent analysis has shown that there is an abysmal lack of information within the public school system among the students about basic facts concerning energy. And this designation of a national day for energy education is a very worthwhile commitment because of the facts that I've just described..."

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=33165

The NEED mission

The mission of the 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 program includes innovative curriculum materials, professional development, evaluation tools, and recognition. NEED teaches the scientific concepts of energy and provides objective information about conventional and emerging energy sources— their use and impact on the environment, economy, and society. The program also educates students about energy efficiency and conservation while providing tools to help educators, energy managers, and consumers use energy wisely.

The NEED mission, goals, and governance are described on the program's website and include links to the organization's annual report and financial statement. NEED Project Mission

NEED’s curriculum

Experts agree students learn best by doing. NEED materials are inquiry based and incorporate the “Kids Teaching Kids” philosophy. NEED makes teaching and learning about energy exciting while developing students’ leadership and critical thinking skills.

NEED materials are available for all grade levels from kindergarten through high school. With NEED's extensive curriculum, educators can design classroom programs that spark the interest of their students and meet course objectives. NEED materials are designed to meet and correlate to the National Science Education Content Standards, as well as many state standards. Educators who use NEED materials report that their students score better on end-of-grade testing, are more actively engaged in learning, and develop leadership skills as members of the community.

To ensure that teachers and students are working with accurate information, NEED materials are updated on a regular basis, using the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as well as from a wide range of energy industry partners. NEED works with educators and students to improve existing materials and develop new ones to meet national and state curriculum requirements. In a special partnership with the Energy Information Administration, NEED helps make energy information and data available to students via the EIA Kid's Page website. In 2006, the Kid’s Page was one of the most popular EIA products—averaging over 350,000 user sessions per month. NEED welcomes partners who vitalize the NEED network with new curriculum materials and new schools. This year, a new partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company expanded the PG&E Solar Schools program to over 600 teachers in the PG&E service area. Schools receive NEED Solar Kits, Science of Energy Kits, teacher training and the opportunity to apply for photovoltaic (solar) installations and classroom grants.

In a new partnership with the College of the Mainland, Center for Process Technology, new materials and training resources will soon be released highlighting the basics of oil and natural gas exploration, production and refining. These materials explore petroleum and natural gas and the products made from them through a consumer’s eyes and with activities that explore careers in the industry.

NEED continues to grow at the national and the local level thanks to the support of committed sponsors and partners. Companies and organizations of all types and sizes work with NEED to invest in the future of energy and energy education. NEED sponsors and partners recognize the value of educating tomorrow’s workforce for careers in energy. Each partnership is unique. Each partnership considers an energy literate public a pathway to overcoming the energy challenges of the future.

The NEED curriculum is divided into eight steps; each builds on the others to form a comprehensive energy unit that encourages even the youngest students to understand how energy is involved in everything that happens in the world.

Need Curriculum is available in PDF format at the NEED website here: NEED Curriculum

Training and professional development

Teachers are the key to the success of the NEED program. NEED teachers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories reach more than four million students each year in their local schools, and many more through outreach programs. Providing teachers with innovative training programs and opportunities to increase their own energy knowledge is a major objective of the NEED program.

Training is offered at local, state, regional and national levels. During the school year, NEED coordinators, lead teachers, and student leaders facilitate workshops for teachers, students, parents, and community members that may range from a few hours to several days. At these workshops, attendees receive an introduction to the NEED curriculum. Additional training for special topics like solar, hydrogen, wind, energy on public lands, or energy management is available in many areas of the NEED network. NEED specializes in creating a first-class training experience, which is consistently scored by participants as one of the best professional development experiences available.

In the summer, the National Energy Conferences for Educators give teachers and energy professionals the opportunity to meet other educators from across the country, design and develop NEED units for their classrooms, increase their energy knowledge, and earn graduate credit. They participate in NEED activities and field trips to energy sites such as nuclear power plants, coalmines, offshore oil production facilities, solar energy facilities, hydroelectric dams, and energy efficiency projects.

In the summer of 2006, approximately 600 educators from across the country attended National Energy Conferences in Colorado, Massachusetts, Washington, New York, Texas, and California. NEED sponsors and partners provide sponsorships for teachers, and they participate as speakers and field trip guides. Some NEED states also sponsor summer energy camps for kids, spring break day camps, and overnight energy weekends. Many NEED schools work with scout troops and community youth groups to help them gain energy-related merit badges and community service hours.

NEED Energy Workshop Opportunities are listed on the NEED Calendar here: NEED Calendar

The NEED network

The long-term success of NEED depends on the support of its network. The educators, students, directors, coordinators, sponsors, and community partners who support the program say that working with NEED is one of the most rewarding things about their jobs. The board of Directors facilitates the implementation of NEED's strategic plan for expansion and helps support NEED's goal of providing an energy education program to every interested school in America. Board members volunteer their time and talents to make sure that NEED has a strong foundation and that the programs and materials reach the greatest number of people each year. Each member of the Board provides funding for the development of NEED programs.

State programs are a vital component of NEED's mission. State coordinators and NEED lead teachers, partners, and sponsors provide day-to-day guidance to local programs, conduct regional and local training programs, design and distribute materials, support teachers, and help develop new NEED programs and activities. These state programs make NEED work at the local level—helping connect the state education standards to NEED programs and materials. NEED stays connected to its network via its newsletters— Energy Exchange and Career Currents—and a variety of resources and opportunities available on NEED's website, www.need.org, and many outreach events each year. Energy Exchange provides teachers, students, and sponsors with information and activities about energy and exciting new technologies and discoveries. NEED’s new newsletter, Career Currents, exposes students to the diversity of energy careers. Both newsletters are distributed bimonthly, and all issues are available on www.need.org.

With a new look this year, www.need.org gives teachers a resource for curriculum publications and activity guides, a place to discuss their NEED programs, and links to a variety of supplemental resources. The website also provides students with methods for choosing science fair experiments, fact sheets for research projects, activities to reinforce knowledge, and resources on the nation's leading energy sources, electricity, and conservation. NEED also partners with the Energy Information Administration on their EIA Kid’s Page, the premier site for kids to find reliable, up-to-date energy information and loads of fun energy activities.

Since its inception in 1980, NEED has grown from a one-day celebration of energy awareness to a national organization dedicated o introducing energy into the curriculum at every grade level. This growth would be impossible without the continued support of NEED's sponsors and partners at the national, state, and local level ho provide funding, time, energy, and technical assistance. NEED sponsors and partners believe in the importance of a comprehensive energy education program that helps teachers and students understand energy and its impacts on their world.

Current NEED Energy Education Programs

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company Solar Schools Program:

Begun in 2004, the PG&E Solar Schools Program has installed over 100 solar photovoltaic electrical systems in K-12 public schools throughout its service area. The program also funds free NEED energy education workshops and Bright Ideas grants of up to $10,000 for innovative educational projects. PG&E Solar Schools Program homepage

Texas TXU Energy Solar Academy:

TXU Energy brings solar energy education to the classroom in the TXU Energy Solar Academy. TXU Energy provided a contribution to the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project to launch a solar education program that helps teachers meet the requirements of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), helps students and their families understand basic energy concepts and brings solar demonstration installations to local communities. TXU Energy Solar Academy homepage

ConocoPhillips Energy Education program:

ConocoPhillips sponsors a series of free K-12 workshops held throughout the nation. This workshop series presents a unique opportunity for classroom teachers (K-12) to learn about energy in a fun and exciting way! The seminars will create awareness of today’s energy challenges and the importance of using energy wisely. Participation in this workshop provides educators with more than $500 of curriculum and hands-on kits that teach about energy resources and energy transformations through hands-on activities. Participants receive the NEED Science of Energy Kit, a basic NEED curriculum set and a class-set of NEED's Energy Infobooks at grade level. Curriculum and training is aligned with state education standards. ConocoPhillips/NEED homepage ConocoPhillips Energy Workshop Videos

List of Sponsors and Partners

1. American Association of Blacks in Energy
2. American Chemistry Council
3. American Electric Power
4. American Electric Power Foundation
5. American Solar Energy Society
6. American Wind Energy Association
7. Appalachian Regional Commission
8. Areva
9. Arkansas Energy Office
10. Armstrong Energy Corporation
11. Association of Desk and Derrick Clubs
12. Robert L. Bayless, Producer, LLC
13. BP
14. BP Alaska
15. C&E Operators
16. Cape and Islands Self Reliance
17. Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
18. Cape Light Compact–Massachusetts
19. L.J. and Wilma Carr
20. Central Virginia Community College
21. Chevron
22. Chevron Energy Solutions
23. ComEd
24. ConEdison Solutions
25. ConocoPhillips
26. Council on Foreign Relations
27. CPS Energy
28. Dart Foundation
29. David Petroleum Corporation
30. Desk and Derrick of Roswell, NM
31. Dominion
32. Dominion Foundation
33. DTE Energy Foundation
34. Duke Energy
35. East Kentucky Power
36. El Paso Foundation
37. E.M.G. Oil Properties
38. Encana
39. Encana Cares Foundation
40. Energy Education for Michigan
41. Energy Training Solutions
42. Energy Solutions Foundation
43. Entergy
44. Equitable Resources
45. First Roswell Company
46. Foundation for Environmental Education
47. FPL
48. The Franklin Institute
49. GenOn Energy–California
50. Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority
51. Georgia Power
52. Government of Thailand–Energy Ministry
53. Guam Energy Office
54. Gulf Power
55. Halliburton Foundation
56. Gerald Harrington, Geologist
57. Houston Museum of Natural Science
58. Hydro Research Foundation
59. Idaho Department of Education
60. Idaho National Laboratory
61. Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
62. Independent Petroleum Association of America
63. Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico
64. Indiana Michigan Power
65. Interstate Renewable Energy Council
66. iStem–Idaho STEM Education
67. Kansas City Power and Light
68. KBR
69. Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition
70. Kentucky Department of Education
71. Kentucky Department of Energy Development and Independence
72. Kentucky Oil and Gas Association
73. Kentucky Propane Education and Research Council
74. Kentucky River Properties LLC
75. Kentucky Utilities Company
76. Lenfest Foundation
77. Littler Mendelson
78. Llano Land and Exploration
79. Los Alamos National Laboratory
80. Louisville Gas and Electric Company
81. Maine Energy Education Project
82. Maine Public Service Company
83. Marianas Islands Energy Office
84. Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources
85. Lee Matherne Family Foundation
86. Michigan Oil and Gas Producers Education Foundation
87. Midwest Energy Cooperative
88. Mississippi Development Authority–Energy Division
89. Montana Energy Education Council
90. The Mosaic Company
91. NADA Scientific
92. NASA
93. National Association of State Energy Officials
94. National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges
95. National Fuel
96. National Grid
97. National Hydropower Association
98. National Ocean Industries Association
99. National Renewable Energy Laboratory
100. Nebraska Public Power District
101. New Mexico Oil Corporation
102. New Mexico Landman’s Association
103. New Orleans Solar Schools Initiative
104. New York Power Authority
105. NSTAR
106. Offshore Energy Center/Ocean Star/OEC Society
107. Offshore Technology Conference
108. Ohio Energy Project
109. Pacific Gas and Electric Company
110. PECO
111. Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association
112. Phillips 66
113. PNM
114. Puerto Rico Energy Affairs Administration
115. Puget Sound Energy
116. Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources
117. RiverWorks Discovery
118. Roswell Climate Change Committee
119. Roswell Geological Society
120. Sacramento Municipal Utility District
121. Schneider Electric
122. Science Museum of Virginia
123. C.T. Seaver Trust
124. Shell
125. Snohomish County Public Utility District–WA
126. Society of Petroleum Engineers
127. David Sorenson
128. Southern Company
129. Southern LNG
130. Southwest Gas
131. Space Sciences Laboratory–University of California Berkeley
132. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
133. Tennessee Valley Authority
134. Timberlake Publishing
135. Toyota
136. TXU Energy
137. United States Energy Association
138. University of Nevada–Las Vegas, NV
139. U.S. Department of Energy
140. U.S. Department of Energy–Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
141. U.S. Department of Energy–Office of Fossil Energy
142. U.S. Department of Energy–Hydrogen Program
143. U.S. Department of Energy–Wind Powering America
144. U.S. Department of Energy–Wind for Schools
145. U.S. Department of the Interior–Bureau of Land Management
146. U.S. Department of the Interior–Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement
147. U.S. Energy Information Administration
148. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
149. Van Ness Feldman
150. Virgin Islands Energy Office
151. Virginia Department of Education
152. Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
153. Walmart Foundation
154. Washington and Lee University
155. Western Kentucky Science Alliance
156. W. Plack Carr Company
157. Yates Petroleum Corporation

Sponsors and Partners Page