Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a Co-ops in the Classroom presentation?
Any school or organization within the service territory of the 20 participating electric cooperatives may utilize the program. The primary audience for Co-ops in the Classroom is elementary students ranging from kindergarten through sixth grade. However, Co-ops in the Classroom is not limited to just schools. Presentations have been done at summer camps, 4-H meetings, after school programs, fairs and other events for children as young as four and all the way through teenagers.
How much does the program cost?
Your Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are happy to provide this service to schools and community organizations within their service territories for FREE.
How long does a Co-ops in the Classroom presentation last?
The standard time for a Co-ops in the Classroom presentation is 45 minutes, but sessions can go longer or shorter depending on your needs.
What sort of materials or facilities do I need to provide?
Co-ops in the Classroom can be presented virtually anywhere. Presentations have been done in single classrooms, auditoriums and even outdoor picnic shelters. All you need to provide is the location, and we'll provide the rest.
What topics do you cover?
There are four core modules that each focus on a separate energy-related topic:
- Respect Electricity focuses on electrical safety.
- The Energy Patrol focuses on conservation and energy efficiency.
- Energizing Our Lives focuses on how electricity is made.
- What's a Kilowatt? focuses on how much electricity various devices consume and how to calculate the cost of running those devices.
Download the lesson plans for more detailed information on each module.
Can I request more than one module or combine aspects from multiple modules?
Yes! The Co-ops in the Classroom program has been designed to be extremely flexible to suit your individual needs based on audience size, age, setting and desired topic(s). If none of the prepackaged modules are exactly what you are looking for, we can work with you to create a custom program. For example, we have done presentations that were only about wind energy or careers in the energy industry.
What sort of demonstration materials do you use?
At the heart of the Co-ops in the Classroom program are the fun, interactive demonstration materials we use. There are three main devices that anchor the program:
- Power Town is an electrical safety model demonstration that simulates outdoor electrical hazards such as contacting overhead power lines with a kite, ladder and tree.
- Smart House Energy Conservation Simulator is an interactive model house which demonstrates behaviors that waste or conserve energy and enables students to act out these behaviors with cut-outs.
- Pedal Power gives students a firsthand experience of how much energy is needed to produce electricity they use bicycle generator to power a variety of devices.
In addition to these, several smaller devices such as a Van de Graaff generator, Watts Up meter, wind turbine replica, hand crank generator, "Energy Ball" and electricity meter are available.
Not all demonstrations are used at every presentation. Materials are selected based on topic, audience age, size and setting among other factors. If you would like to make sure a specific device is used, please indicate that in your request.
Who conducts the presentation?
Jenny Wolff, Education & Outreach Specialist for East River Electric Power Cooperative in Madison, SD will provide all the necessary materials and provide the teaching instruction. Whenever possible, a representative from the local electric cooperative will accompany Mrs. Wolff.
What is the educational value of the program to my students?
We understand that schools that face a tight timeline of topics they must cover throughout the school year. That is why we have worked hard to ensure that our lessons adhere to state and national content standards. The goal of our program is for our interactive demonstrations to supplement your classroom instruction. We hope that our hands-on materials will help bring to life the concepts you are already discussing in class.
How can I get more information or request a presentation?
Fill out our contact form or contact your local electric cooperative.