Last year, MEC Education Specialist Keith Etheridge worked with MEC member organization Urban Options to develop and pilot the Energy Education Integration (EEI) Project. A $25,000 grant from the Michigan Energy Office, Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services, funded the development of a model for integrating energy education throughout the elementary school curriculum. The EEI Project was designed to provide the tools, resources, support and professional development that schools need to produce energy literate graduates and high quality science and math instruction.

This year, Keith has worked with Urban Options-an East Lansing-based nonprofit agency that provides focused energy education programs to the mid-Michigan area-to implement the pilot EEI Project at Lansing School District's Post Oak Elementary School. Post Oak teachers have been provided with nationally-recognized energy education curriculum materials, hands-on science and math instructional kits and the best accumulated Michigan energy efficiency and renewable curriculum tools created by the most qualified individuals and agencies in the state.

In May, Post Oak students will use their school facility as a laboratory to apply their energy and science knowledge and math skills in a real-world context. They will conduct an energy audit of their school, determine positive alternatives and energy efficiency measures and present their recommendations to school officials.

Through this process, students will be empowered with the knowledge and skills necessary to make meaningful changes that will be carried into the future. By creating a laboratory within the school community, the project gives students the opportunity to learn and develop personal responsibility through practical application.
For more information, leave a message for Keith at (517) 487-9539 or email keith.etheridge@comcast.net.