Southern California Teachers Benefit from $1 Million BP Grant & Scholarship Program
PreK-12 educators will be awarded $1 million in grants and scholarships through the 2008 A+ for Energy program, which recognizes innovative energy education programs in the classroom. Awardees will receive a cash grant of $5,000 or $10,000 to implement their program, a full scholarship to attend a three-day Energy Educator Training Conference, and a Science of Energy kit and other classroom materials valued at $500.
BP, a global energy provider, sponsors this unique program, which provides teachers with the resources and tools required to deliver creative projects that excite and educate students about energy and energy conservation. 2008 A+ for Energy winners will join the ranks of nearly 7,000 California area teachers that have been awarded $7 million since 2004.
The A+ for Energy program is available to any preK-12 classroom teacher in an accredited or licensed public or private school within the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, San Diego and Kern county areas. Winners are recognized for developing creative and student-focused classroom, after-school, extra-curricular, or summer programs. While these programs must be centered on energy or energy conservation, they can move beyond science to incorporate reading, mathematics, history, geography, the arts, and more.
A+ for Energy has enjoyed unprecedented success since beginning in California in 2004, having grown to 9 locations across North America and impacting more than 411,000 students and 13,470 teachers.
“It’s encouraging to know that the program is meeting its key objective, which is to engage students in a very personal way to increase understanding of energy and its vital role in everyday life.” said Irene Brown, BP America’s National Director of the A+ for Energy program. “We want to help students make the connection from the classroom to the real world. Partnering with teachers is essential to making this happen.”
“There is no greater source of inspiration and motivation for young minds than from hard working teachers. Teachers provide the catalyst for students to think seriously about the importance of energy, energy conservation and the environment,” said Thomas Markin, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, BP America. “BP takes great pride in awarding A+ for Energy grants and scholarships, because they not only recognize educational innovation, but also help teach future generations to become responsible stewards of energy resources and the environment.”
Applications for the 2008 program have been mailed to all eligible schools. Interested teachers can also find out more about the program by visiting the A+ for Energy website at www.aplusforenergy.org. In addition to the online application, teachers will find valuable resources at the site, including a grant writing tutorial and links to interactive energy education tools and downloadable materials for classrooms. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online by March 7, 2008. Winners will be notified on May 12, 2008.
The A+ for Energy program is administered in conjunction with three national organizations with expertise in developing energy education curriculum aligned to national and state standards: the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED), Activities Integrating Math & Science (AIMS), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
About BP
BP is one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, serving millions of customers every day in more than 100 countries across six continents. BP’s business activities are in exploration and production; refining and marketing; and its low-carbon BP Alternative Energy division. Through these businesses, BP provides fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services, and petrochemical products. For more information, please visit www.bp.com/us.
About NEED
The National Education Development Project promotes an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business, government, and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs. For more information, please visit www.need.org/
About NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory develops renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advances related science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and innovations to address the nation’s energy and environmental goals. For more information, please visit www.nrel.gov/
About AIMS
The AIMS Education Foundation develops and provides curriculum integrating math and science, built upon the AIMS Model of Learning. For more information, please visit www.aimsedu.org/
