Each year, Ohio Energy Project (OEP) submits a portfolio to the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project’s national competition. Judging of these submissions recently ended and Westerville was awarded National Project of the Year for the Special Category/School District Division.
“We dedicated this year’s portfolio to Beth Eddy and Stephanie Martin, two of our longest participating teachers, not just in Westerville, but across Ohio,” said Sue Tenney, education director at OEP. Eddy and Martin are retiring this year.
Created by teachers for teachers, OEP has been providing hands-on, interactive learning tools and programs since 1984. “This is one of the longest standing and most productive partnerships the district has,” added Westerville City Schools Secondary Science Curriculum Specialist Lyndsey Manzo.
NEED began in 1980 as a one-day celebration of energy education when National Energy Education Day was recognized by a Joint Congressional Resolution. In the same year, President Jimmy Carter issued a Presidential Proclamation stressing the need for comprehensive energy education in schools, a reduction in our dependence of fossil fuels, and increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy technologies.
OEP, which is the state affiliate of NEED, brings the latest in the energy field to teachers and students by working with utilities, the State of Ohio, nonprofit organizations, energy organizations, universities, manufacturers and others. OEP programs and teaching resources follow Ohio Department of Education requirements. OEP is funded through local grants and partnerships with businesses, governments and foundations.