Tenn. Program Teaches Responsible Energy Usage
Published Apr 07, 2003
TEEN program participants from Chimneyrock Elementary School perform ‘E-N-E-R-G-Y, That’s the Way We Spell Energy.’
Making energy education fun for students – and easy for teachers – is a winning combination for classrooms across the state.
The Tennessee Energy Education Network, a program of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Energy Division, uses activities, puzzles, brain teasers, an interactive Web site and a CD among its tools to educate K-12 students in public and private or homeschool groups. Topics include energy efficiency, resources, environmental improvement, policy issues and consumer use.
“We are in the business of training students about the importance of energy in their lives so they can grow up and make informed energy decisions, saving them money in the future and promoting environmental awareness,” says Chyrall Dawson, TEEN program manager.
Program partners include TVA, the Tennessee Environmental Teachers Association, state utilities, schools and community organizations.
“We provide a complete package, free to any teacher in Tennessee, that has everything needed to teach energy education,” she says. “This includes teacher training, classroom materials, and a workshop for both students and teachers.”
TEEN seeks teacher input for new programs. One is Traveling Trunks, a series of 10 cases filled with activities and equipment to conduct experiments, loaned free of charge to Tennessee teachers. Another is Energy Camp, held in East Tennessee, to give educators hands-on experience with energy resources and training.
TEEN’s launch 35 years ago set the stage for energy education. Today it’s considered a model program sought by other states for its innovations and success, and it won a 2002 Distinguished Service Award from the National Energy Education Development Program. In addition, two Tennessee schools received recognition from NEED in 2003: Greenfield High School was named Senior Level School of the Year and Pi Beta Phi Elementary School of Gatlinburg won the title of Junior Level Rookie School of the Year.
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