New remote learning program is helping students, parents and teachers continue to learn about electric and natural gas safety.
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Since 2012, BGE has provided the Wires Down Video Challenge as an opportunity for elementary school students to learn about electric safety while competing for a chance to win up to $10,000 in grant funding toward an enrichment project. But when schools closed in mid-March, BGE realized that school participation in this annual video contest, which requires teachers and students to film their version of BGE’s Wires Down TV commercial, would not be possible in 2020. With a long-standing commitment to provide public awareness on electric and natural gas safety, BGE quickly pivoted to offer a different kind of educational program. The new Energy to Learn program was launched to provide virtual learning opportunities for students who are home during COVID-19.
“We wanted to make sure that although we wouldn’t be able to run this year’s Wires Down Video Challenge, we could still connect with parents, teachers and elementary school students,” said BGE Marketing Manager Keisha Clarke-English. “The video challenge is fun, but the messages are more important. Every child – and adult – should know what to do if they see a downed wire. Stay away, call BGE at 1-877-778-2222, and never touch a downed wire. Virtual learning provided the chance to include natural gas safety and energy efficiency lessons with these messages as well.”
Energy to Learn provides teachers, parents, and kindergarten through 5th grade students with free, easy-to-download educational activities. The activities cover gas and electric safety, along with energy efficiency tips. Through fun exercises like coloring, word search, and object matching, students learn how to be smarter and safer with their energy use. BGE is also excited about our continued educational partnership with WBAL-TV. Meteorologist Ava Marie and morning news anchor Jason Newton are helping to promote the Energy to Learn program as a part of BGE’s safety education team.
Initially launched as a six-week program, Energy to Learn materials will remain available on BGE’s Safety Central website for anyone looking for virtual learning tools for elementary school students. All the materials – including a customizable certificate of completion – can be downloaded at BGE’s Safety Central. Plus, kids can join a community of learners by sharing their work using #BGEenergytolearn.