By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Kids Teaching Kids was the theme of a recent day-long energy workshop sponsored by Maine Public Service (MPS) during which more than 350 enthusiastic students and teachers participated in the event at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Lonesome Pine Ski Lodge in Fort Kent.
Contributed photo
More than 350 students representing schools from Houlton to Madawaska participated in the Be Energy Wise workshop sponsored by Maine Public Service, held recently at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Aroostook County teachers, grade 3 through 8, attended the workshop with teams of up to six students. They left with the challenge of creating energy projects, which they’ll present via a scrapbook that will be judged in April by MPS staff.. The BE Energy Wise Program (BEEP) is a competitive program to promote and support energy awareness throughout northern Maine schools.
Students learn about energy during the year then share that knowledge in the community, the state and the nation. The competition follows the same regulations as the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Program, with prizes to be awarded in four grade categories: K-3, 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
Utilizing the Maine Learning Results, participants in the workshop learned leadership skills, team building, cooperative learning, and creative and logical thinking through the exploration of complex energy and environmental issues. The program, which can be recreated in the classroom, focuses on math, English, science and art.
“Students participated in a number of energy-related activities and were encouraged to think about life without electricity as well as conservation and safety,” said workshop coordinator Nancy Chandler. “This is the 27th year northern Maine schools have participated in the program.”
Previous state and national competition winners have included Gateway Elementary School, Madawaska Elementary School and the Caribou Middle School.
“NEED links more than 8,000 schools nationwide through a network of students, teachers and community members who enjoy and value an interdisciplinary approach to learning,” said Chandler. Aroostook County participants are eligible for the NEED Youth Awards for Energy Achievement Program and national winners are eligible to attend the National Awards Ceremony in Washington, D. C. in June.
For more information contact Chandler, supervisor of conservation and education services at 760-2556.
