Early childhood educators in four cities -- Tulsa, Oklahoma, Columbus, Ohio, and Texarkana and Corpus Christi, Texas -- came together to learn how to make science learning fun, interesting and understandable for pre-school children in Bright Start Right Start workshops. Funded by the AEP Foundation, the workshops help pre-school teachers understand how to incorporate simple activities and concepts in their classrooms to take advantage of the young scientist in every child and lay the groundwork for future learning and interest in science. Topics include physical science, life science, earth and space, personal safety and health skills.

In Roanoke, Virginia, and Laredo, Texas, teams of middle school girls built human-powered Energy Bike demonstration units to experience practical ways to learn and teach energy and science concepts. Funded by the AEP Foundation, the Activating and Energizing Girls’ Involvement in Science (AEGIS) workshops empower girls to explore science and energy-related fields as they construct, wire and learn to use the demo units. The workshops give the girls and their teachers the tools to make science and energy more interesting in the classroom through first-hand experiences.

Blanchard Elementary School in Shreveport, Louisiana, posted a message on the school sign that sums up how many recipients of AEP Teacher Vision Grants feel: “We thank SWEPCO very much for helping our class.” SWEPCO and the six other AEP operating companies distributed 143 mini-grants ranging from $100 to $500 each – a total of more than $60,000 -- to educators with an innovative idea or project that needed a little funding to help their students achieve academically. At Blanchard Elementary, teachers purchased and shared a laptop computer, projector and interactive whiteboard to integrate technology into classroom learning.

In Indiana, kids learned firsthand about wind energy, hybrid vehicles and energy efficiency during visits to Conservation Quest, an energy-focused exhibit at Muncie Children’s Museum. Co-sponsored by Indiana Michigan Power, the 1,500-square-foot, hands-on exhibit enabled young children from pre-school through grade four to explore electricity, energy conservation and recycling.