Like the rest of the world, NEF pivoted dramatically this spring due to COVID-19. With our customized websites and established teacher-directed programs, we had a strong head start to adapt. However, to maintain the same level of engagement as in-person presentations and deliver efficiency kits to students amidst school closures provided an opportunity for the NEF team to rise to the challenge. As schools across the country shut down, NEF Energy Educators were ready to provide teachers with creative alternatives to in-school presentations.
A teacher from Michigan reported, “We had an in-school presentation scheduled for April. Obviously, with schools closed, that wasn’t going to happen. So, I was surprised when Lauren [a Program Director at NEF] contacted me with the ship to home option. It sounded easy enough and gave the kids something to look forward to. With the links provided, I was able to share the presentation with my students and have them virtually explore the kits. I was impressed with how organized and easy the whole process was.”
New Digital Deliverables
As many team members, like Lauren, made magic happen in the spring, others began thoroughly preparing for possible scenarios of the fall 2020 school semester. We were able to offer a wide variety of digital options in a very short period of time. 2020 deliverables included video and interactive presentations, assorted styles of e-learning activities, and digital versions of our print materials. The tireless efforts of our program directors, internal creative staff, and shipping team made this year a success.
Providing solutions that meet the needs of both our utility and educator partners remains our goal. We are especially gratified when we exceed a teacher’s expectations, as with this teacher from Indiana:
“The kids loved the [slide] presentation and the Kahoot game! They were so engaged. I have been doing this program for a long time and each year it gets better and better. The kits arrived today and the kids are ‘over the moon’ with the drawstring bags! We could not even start a lesson until I opened one to share.”
As we turn the corner into the new year, we are better than ever prepared to bring energy education into classrooms, whether virtual or in-person, teacher-directed or led by an NEF Energy Educator. To learn more about our energy education delivery options, visit our COVID-19 Solutions webpage.
