WPPI Energy Member Utilities Partner With Local Theatre To Help Educate Students on Energy Efficiency, Electricity

by Vanessa Nikolic
APPA News
November 16, 2021

Wisconsin-based joint action agency WPPI Energy and its member utilities recently partnered with The National Theatre for Children (NTC) to work on educating students and families on energy efficiency and electricity. 

Founded in 1978, NTC is a Minnesota based theatre company that holds free programs at schools across the country to educate and inspire future generations on a variety of topics from financial literacy to energy conservation. Over the years, NTC has expanded its offerings to include virtual events as well. 

Member utilities of WPPI Energy and NTC developed “The Energized Guyz,” a new program that will be livestreamed this fall and delivered virtually. This virtual offering aims to accommodate students whether they are learning in the classroom or remotely from home. 

The program brings information on energy efficiency and electricity to more than 80 schools in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa. The presentations focus on what energy is, the uses of energy, how energy is wasted, and how to conserve energy. 

The livestream features a host who introduces the program, sets up a series of comedic videos, and leads a Q&A session in which students and teachers can ask questions for the host to answer during the presentation. The educational videos tell a superhero-themed story about science, energy efficiency, and electricity. 

Stacie Running, energy services manager at WPPI Energy said the program provides a unique learning opportunity for students. 

“We are excited to partner with NTC and the local schools to provide this opportunity for students,” Running said. “The performances provide a fun and entertaining platform that encourages students to learn more about energy.” 

Livestream events accompany a digital curriculum including games, e-books, interactive lessons, and assessments for educators. The utilities sponsor every aspect of the program, providing free supplemental materials for teachers looking to enhance their educational resources this school year. 

For more information about “The Energized Guyz” livestream, visit nationaltheatre.com. 

WPPI Energy is a member-owned, not-for-profit organization that serves 51 locally owned electric utilities in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Upper Michigan.