NRU Educates New Richmond Students

On March 16, 2010, March 25, 2010 and March 26, 2010 New Richmond Utilities presented an electrical safety program to all second graders at Starr, Paperjack, and Hillside Schools. This presentation is called powerTown and teaches kids of all ages how to be safe around electricity and electrical equipment. Following the presentation a short movie called “Louis the Lightning Bug” is shown to reinforce electrical safety. New Richmond Utilities offers this program yearly to second graders, and we also offer a Pedal Power demonstration to the fourth graders during March. The Utilities also has a water and wastewater presentation for fourth graders in May regarding National Water Week.

New Richmond Utilities recently sponsored a touring theater show designed to educate young students about the concepts of energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy and electrical safety. The fast-paced, educational show called “Mission It’s Possible” was presented by the National Theatre for Children (NTC) - the largest in-school educational touring theater company in the world. The program uses colorful sets and engaging characters to teach students about the importance of conserving energy and playing it safe around electricity.

The interactive program encourages audience participation and presents lessons in a manner that children enjoy. In the program “Mission It’s Possible,” Professor Dabney Wambley seeks to discover who has been wasting energy in the city. Professor Wambley works with an old colleague to pinpoint how electricity and energy is made while enlisting the help of a student volunteer to conserve energy.

The NTC tours the United States presenting educational theater in schools on behalf of sponsoring organizations. The NTC is based in Minneapolis and uses live theater, printed curriculum materials and teacher guides to educate children, teachers, adults and parents about energy conservation and electrical safety. Local performances were given at Starr Elementary, Paperjack Elementary, and St Mary’s School. The performances are coordinated by New Richmond’s power supplier, WPPI Energy, a regional power company serving 51 customer-owned electric utilities. In 2009, WPPI Energy members sponsored 149 shows at 98 schools, reaching more than 28,000 students.

In 2009 Employees from New Richmond Utilities presented Pedal Power at the East Elementary School to the 4th graders. Pedal Power is a bicycle-powered generator that teaches basic scientific concepts related to the conversion of energy from one form to another and its efficient use for lighting, heating and transportation. These concepts become tangible as the cyclist literally feels the effort required to light a bulb, heat water, or spin a motor.

New Richmond Utilities presented basic electric concepts along with circuit demostrations and energy conservation.