2015-2016 PECO Energizing Education Program
Guidelines and Application for Continuation Programs
Applications must be received byDECEMBER 4, 2015
How to Apply:
Email this completed application to Sharon Kiefer at OR
Mail the completed application to:
The Franklin Institute
ATTN: Sharon Kiefer
222 N. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
What is the PECO Energizing Education Program Transition Year?
Following 7 successful years of the development and implementation of the PECO Energizing Education Program, PECO, The Franklin Institute and NEED have designed a transition year plan that will continue the program while piloting some new opportunitiesto prepare for a new program to be launched for schools in the fall of 2016. This transition year (2015-2016) will give our PEEP schools and the program partners at TFI and NEED the opportunity to work together to create something even more exciting in 2016-2017 and beyond.
Our continuing schools have been the backbone of the program throughout the years, and have a wealth of experience to bring to future plans. We will be bringing together a group of lead teachers from the PEEP schools to consider the path forward and to create what we see as PEEP 2.0.
We hope you will join us in this effort to build on the program each of you dedicated your time and energy to over these last seven years.
What resources do PEEP Schools Receive during the 2015-2016 School Year?
The PECO Energizing Education ProgramTransition Year includes:
- One-Day Mandatory PEEP Teacher Training hosted onFriday, January 8, 2016at The Franklin Institute (substitutes reimbursed)
- Replenishment of consumables for NEED kits and curriculum:
- Science of Energy
- solar energy
- wind generation
- hydropower
- energy efficiency
- A cash grant of $500 to support the school’s selection of and implementation of an energy-focused/STEM
Challenge project that will be documented and submitted just like the PEEP Community Projects of years past.
- The STEM Challenge projects will be reviewed and a minimum of one school will be selected to share its project at the Philadelphia Science Festival or other community events in the Spring.
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PECO Energizing Education Program - Continuation
Application for Participation
Please be sure to submit all application components and respond to all questions:
- SCHOOL ______
Nameof Person Completing Application
Title
Address
Phone
District Name
County
- Principal of the School
Name
Phone
- Additional Information
What grade(s) level will you include in the program
Number of students you will include in the program
4. Please provide responses to the following questions (include on no more than two pages):
a)How has the PECO program impacted your school and students thus far?
b)How will you build and expand upon your existing PECO program within your classroom in the new school year?
c)What do you plan for the STEM Challenge project? (Sample challenges listed below.)
d)What community partners will you work with on your community outreach project? Please elaborate on how you will work together.
5. Endorsements and Acceptance of Program Expectations
The PECO Energizing Education Program evaluation has shown that the most successful schools have support at the
administrative level. Does the school have the active support of the principal/vice principal/curriculum specialist to provide the administrative support needed for the project? Check any/all that have indicated support for your school to participate in
the project:
_____District Superintendent or County Superintendent of Schools.
_____Principal/Assistant Principal
_____District and/or school curriculum specialist (science, technology, etc.)
7. Signature ______
By signing above, you certify that, if selected, your school has the administrative approval and support to fully participate in the PECO Energizing Education Program and accepts the expectations of the program.
Email the application form (above) and attach question responses to Sharon Kiefer at .
FAX to Sharon Kiefer at: 215-448-1081
Or mail to: The Franklin Institute
ATTN: Sharon Kiefer
222 N. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Some Sample Ideas for Energy in STEM Challenges
Info to note: Schools will submit a summary of the Energy in STEM Challenge project and upload to the NEED Dropbox for review by the PEEP team. At least one project will be selected to present at the Philadelphia Science Festival Carnival (April 30, 2016). Schools will be encouraged to reach out to community partners to assist them in their projects (for example – architects and engineers, home builders, etc).
Consider this idea: Set up your STEM Challenge as a challenge between two continuing PEEP schools!
Energy Efficiency Blackout Competition
Students learn about energy efficiency and conservation
Use tools to establish baseline energy consumption for a series of “Fridays” and determine an average use on that day of the week
Conduct a blackout (or several), on “Fridays”, school-wide
Design and implement an energy savings plan for other days
Measure their savings during blackouts, and from energy savings plan measures
Present their findings to others at a school or community event
Energy House Competition (similar to the solar decathlon idea but with a model)
Students learn about sources, efficiency & conservation
Design and create models of energy efficient homes that employ their new knowledge (solar, wind, geothermal, natural gas, efficient technologies)
Present their findings to others at a school or community event
Wind Turbine Challenge
Students learn about wind energy & turbines
Design and create the best turbine blades
Test/showcase their blades at a school event with competition among teams
Electricity Generation Challenge
Students learn about energy, energy transformations & electricity generation
Students design and build the best generator model using a set of materials
Students design and build the best accessory to generate electricity from another source (attach generator to a student created turbine)
Test/showcase their designs at a school or community event with competition among teams
The Natural Gas Challenge
Students will design a plan for exploring and producing natural gas, including understanding natural gas development and the use of technologies to explore and product natural gas.
Students will consider the challenge of developing natural gas in populated areas and from small drilling pad sites.
Students will consider the geology of the region and design ways to produce natural gas from the local geology.
Students will follow the molecule and design ways to be most efficient with natural gas throughout the process – from exploration to local delivery to usage at home.