Attracting and Developing Interest among Teachers and Students in Energy Workforce Options Gary Swan Vice President, Development
About the National Energy Foundation 501 (c) (3) non-profit K-12 energy education 32 year track record Our HQ - Salt Lake City, Utah Our work – national Our board – EEI, AGA, NEI, API, NMA, APPA, USEA, INGAA, NGVC
The mission of the National Energy Foundation is to cultivate and promote an energy literate society About the National Energy Foundation
What is Energy Illiteracy? What does it mean to be illiterate? Is illiteracy a problem for our society? So what does it mean to be energy illiterate? Is energy illiteracy a problem for our society? Is energy illiteracy a problem for your company?
Three Energy Illiteracy Case Studies The heart surgeon The ad exec The geophysicist
What is Energy Literacy? Many different definitions We’re even working on a new one Let’s consult the Conceptual Framework for Energy Education...
The Seven Concepts to Understand are: Sources Uses and applications Forms and conversions Impacts Limits Future Conservation and management
Does Energy Literacy Really Matter?? Let me introduce to you... My son!
Yes, Energy Literacy Matters! Energy literate teachers help produce energy literate students, and energy literate students are much more likely to enter the energy workforce pipeline. Energy literacy matters!
So, How Do We Do It? Good instructional materials Correlations to national, state, district standards Relationships at state, district, school levels Relationships with colleges and junior colleges Exciting professional development opportunities for teachers Exciting learning opportunities for students
Instructional Materials Teacher Guides – grade level specific Instructional Posters Energists School-to-Home Resources Learning Activity Kits
Professional Development for Teachers Teacher Training Workshops Study Tours Pre-Service Workshops Recertification Credit University Graduate Credit
Learning Opportunities for Students Student competitions Career fairs Science fairs Energy patrols School-to-home
Funding Community Relations Budget? Corporate Communications Budget? Your Company’s Foundation Grant? Partnership with Other Energy-Related Groups or Companies? Partnership with Other Workforce-Related Groups? STEM Funding
Examples of NEF Partnerships NYSERDA (New York) Think! Energy Indiana – Vectren, NIPSCO, IPL, Citizens Gas (Indiana) Johnson Controls, Inc./Philips Lighting (National) Academy for Natural Gas Education (30 states) Energy Systems Technology Education Center (Idaho) Western Energy Training Center (Utah)
Thank You! Gary Swan Vice President, Development National Energy Foundation 145 S. 400 East Salt Lake City, UT Tel: