Helping youngsters understand the importance of energy efficiency while meeting Illinois Learning Standards are the goals of powerful energy lessons provided by the Ameren Illinois Kids ActOnEnergy® initiative.
The Web-based program provides free educational materials, teaching guides and tests for teachers, as well as valuable information for parents. More than 50,000 students will benefit from this program during this school year. Since the program launched in 2010, more than 270,000 students have been impacted.
"Kids are utilizing a variety of electronic devices and being exposed to electricity more than ever before," said Ameren Illinois Vice President Scott Wiseman. "We believe it's important to start early to show children how to use energy resources more wisely. Plus, we've made it a lot of fun."
Through the Kids ActOnEnergy initiative, Ameren Illinois provides free educational materials to Illinois teachers, with hands-on classroom lessons that meet the Illinois Learning Standards. The KidsActOnEnergy.com website includes a variety of interactive games and self-directed learning modules that enable kids to learn at their own pace.
Illinois teachers as well as parents who home school, can save time on preparing lessons that meet the Illinois Learning Standards by ordering the free activity books and using the online lesson plans complete with pre- and post-tests. These materials support educational standards and are easily integrated into regular curricula. There are a variety of materials designed for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
"We have heard from students, teachers, and parents that their participation in Kids ActOnEnergy not only prompted them to make safe decisions, but also take actions to save energy, save money, and be better stewards of the environment," said Natalie Hemmer, Ameren Illinois Kids ActOnEnergy program manager.
The program is broken into two modules. The spring program concentrates on energy efficiency, while the fall curriculum focuses on safety. Information was mailed to more than 12,000 kindergarten through eighth grade teachers throughout Illinois this month. Materials also may be ordered at KidsActOnEnergy.com.
Additional energy efficiency, financial incentives, and rebates for residential customers and businesses are available at ActOnEnergy.com. Residential customers can obtain more information by calling 1-866-838-6918 or sending an e-mail to: ActOnEnergyResidential@ameren.com.
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Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 813,000 natural gas customers in downstate Illinois, and our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com or on Twitter - @AmerenIllinois.
CONTACT: Leigh Morris, 217.535.5228, lmorris@ameren.com; Stacey Stockton-Shangraw, 309-677-5073, sstockton-shangraw@ameren.com