Energy Learning Exchange

2015-16 Year-End Report

June 2016

Teachers and students visited the ELE exhibit at the 8th Grade Career Expo in Bloomington on October 29, 2015.

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Table of Contents

Introduction to the Energy Learning Exchange ………………………………………………………………………….. 5

What is the Energy Learning Exchange (ELE)? …………………………………………………………..……………… 5

What Careers Will the ELE Support? ………………………………………………………………………………………... 5

Why Should Your Company Invest in the ELE? …………………………………………………………………….…… 6

What is Needed for a Company to Participate in the ELE? ………………………………………………….……. 6

Our Partners …………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………….. 7

Participating Schools …………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………… 8

Achieving the Objectives of the ELE …………………………………………………………….………………..……………. 10

2015-2016 Activity Highlights …………………………..……………………………………………………………….………… 11

Illinois Energy Workforce Consortium (IEWC) …………………………………………………………………………. 11

Careers in Energy Week …………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 12

STEM Energy Challenge ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13

15th Annual High School Research Symposium …………………………………………………………………………….………… 13

Energy Educators Summit …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….. 14

Smart Grid for Schools ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….. 15

Open Educational Resources ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……… 16

Highlights Summary …………...………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……… 16

Goals of the ELE ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….. 18

A National Model: Career Clusters ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18

Industry Recognized Credentials …………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 18

Appendix ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………. 19

ELE Members ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 19

Illinois Energy Careers Employment and Wage Data …………………………………………………………………………….. 20

Financial Summary ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… 23

Contact …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 24

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Energy STEM Challenge Students at the Research and Development Learning Exchange Event in Chicago on May 19, 2016.

Williamsfield High School students posed for a photo after practicing their STEM Challenge presentation before professors at Illinois State University (left), and Washington Community High School students presented their project to an audience at the High School Research Symposium.

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Introduction to the Energy Learning Exchange

What is the Energy Learning Exchange (ELE)? Illinois State University is the lead entity of the Energy Learning Exchange (ELE), one of eight statewide

exchanges developed from a public-private partnership of universities, community colleges, K-12 schools,

companies, labor unions, and other public and private organizations and individuals. The mission is to further

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning, preparing students for career pathways in

energy and provide Illinois companies with a superior energy workforce. “Our mission is to prepare our students

for the 21st Century workforce,” said Governor Pat Quinn who established the Learning Exchanges. “These new

Learning Exchanges will provide students with real-world experience and advanced educational opportunities to

ensure they are ready to compete for the jobs of tomorrow.”

What is the Purpose of the ELE? Illinois Pathways, funded through Race to the Top, is an

innovative State of Illinois-led STEM education initiative to

encourage college and career readiness for all students.

Supported by a partnership between the State of Illinois’

education and economic development agencies, Illinois

Pathways supports local programs that empower students to

explore their academic and career interests while also

supporting new statewide, public-private partnerships known as

Learning Exchanges that better coordinate investments,

resources, and planning for those programs

What Careers Does the ELE Support? Energy career pathways include:

Energy Engineering

Building Energy Efficiency

Energy Management

Transportation Energy Efficiency

Energy Research & Development

Energy-Related Manufacturing

“50% of the energy

workforce will retire in

the next 5-10 years.”

-Center for Energy Workforce Development

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Illinois School Districts Involved

Teachers Involved

Students Impacted

150+ 300+ 75,000+

Why Should Your Company Invest in the ELE? Create a pipeline of well qualified candidates for the Illinois energy workforce

Scale best practices for energy education for statewide implementation

Leverage state matching funds to maximize company investment

Increase energy literacy within the state of Illinois

Help raise the bar for STEM learning through student engagement with energy issues

Be part of the setting of goals and metrics for the ELE

Help Illinois become a national leader in energy education

Receive recognition for your company at ELE events and on ELE materials

What is Needed for a Company to Participate in the ELE?

Required:

A catalog of existing programs your company sponsors with school districts (include dollars of

investment)

Committee members to help form goals and metrics

Optional:

Company representatives willing to speak in school classrooms

Field trips for students

Internships for students

Energy career video development partnership

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Our Partners

ELE is made up of a diverse set of statewide education, business and community partners. Business and

workforce partners include employers and employer-led associations, labor organizations, local workforce

investment boards, and others. Education partners include K-12 districts and schools, community colleges,

universities, regional education offices, student organizations, and others. Community organizations include

museums, federal laboratories and research centers, non-profit STEM organizations, and other community

organizations that serve learners.

Founding Member:

A complete list of ELE members can be found in the appendix.

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Participating Schools Most Involved Washington CHSD 308 Williamsfield CUSD 210 Highly Involved Bloomington SD 87 City of Chicago SD 299 Downers Grove North Downers Grove South Giant City CCSD 130 Manteno CUSD 5 Minooka CHSD 111 Southwestern CUSD 9

Involved Astoria CUSD 1 Bureau Valley CUSD 340 Bushnell Prairie City CUSD 170 Centralia HSD 200 Champaign CUSD 4 Collinsville CUSD 10 Cons SD 158 CUSD 3 Fulton County Dixon USD 170 Elmwood CUSD 322 Freeport SD 145 Galesburg CUSD 205 Galva CUSD 224 Jasper County CUD 1 Johnsburg CUSD 12 Kirby SD 140 Momence CUSD 1 Pembroke CCSD 259 Plano CUSD 88 Prairieview-Ogden CCSD 197 Raccoon Cons SD 1 Ridgeview CUSD 19 Riverview CCSD 2 Rock Falls Township HSD 301 Sandoval CUSD 501 Scales Mound CUSD 211 St Anne CHSD 302 St Rose SD 14-15 Sterling CUSD 5 Tri Point CUSD 6-J Waukegan CUSD 60 Webber Township HSD 204 Wethersfield CUSD 230 Woodstock CUSD 200 Others (non-public K-12)

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Interested Addison SD 4 Alton CUSD 11 AlWood CUSD 225 Antioch CCSD 34 Aurora East USD 131 Belvidere CUSD 100 Bethalto CUSD 8 Bismarck Henning CUSD Bradford CUSD 1 Bremen CHSD 228 Brimfield CUSD 309 Brooklyn UD 188 Burbank SD 111 Channahon SD 17 Christopher USD 99 Cicero SD 99 County of Woodford School Diamond Lake SD 76 Downers Grove GSD 58 Durand CUSD 322 East Moline SD 37 Eastland CUSD 308 Edwardsville CUSD 7 Effingham CUSD 40 Eureka CUD 140 Evanston Township HSD 202 Evergreen Park CHSD 231 Geneseo CUSD 228 Granite City CUSD 9 Hamilton CCSD 328 Harlem UD 122 Highland CUSD 5 Indian Prairie CUSD 204 Iroquois West CUSD 10 Jersey CUSD 100 Knoxville CUSD 202 Ladd CCSD 94 Lake Villa CCSD 41 Lemont Township HSD 210 Lincoln Way CHSD 210 Lyons SD 103 Maercker SD 60

McLean County USD 5 Meridian CUSD 15 Milford CCSD 280 Moline USD 40 Monmouth-Roseville CUSD 238 Monticello CUSD 25 Niles Township CHSD 219 Oak Park - River Forest SD 200 Oregon CUSD 220 Orland SD 135 Palestine CUSD 3 Payson CUSD 1 Peoria SD 150 Porta CUSD 202 R O W V A CUSD 208 Rankin CSD 98 Rantoul Township HSD 193 Red Bud CUSD 132 Rich Township HSD 227 River Grove SD 85-5 Riverdale CUSD 100 Riverside SD 96 Riverside-Brookfield Township SD 208 Rock Island SD 41 Rockford SD 205 Rockridge CUSD 300 Schaumburg CCSD 54 SD U-46 Sherrard CUSD 200 Silvis SD 34 Skokie SD 68 Springfield SD 186 St Joseph Ogden CHSD 305 Stark County CUSD 100 Thornton Fractional Township HSD 215 Tolono CUSD 7 Tonica CCSD 79 Township HSD 214 Triad CUSD 2 United CUSD 304 V I T CUSD 2

Venice CUSD 3 Vienna HSD 133 Wilmington CUSD 209U Initital Altamont CUSD 10 Argenta-Oreana CUSD 1 Bond County CUSD 2 Carbondale CHSD 165 Casey-Westfield CUSD 4C Cobden SUD 17 Cowden-Herrick CUSD 3A Cumberland CUSD 77 Dakota CUSD 201 East St Louis SD 189 Elmhurst SD 205 Fairfield PSD 112 Farmington Central CUSD 265 Fieldcrest CUSD 6 Galatia CUSD 1 Gower SD 62 Grayville CUSD 1 Homer CCSD 33C Kaneland CUSD 302 Leyden CHSD 212 Lincoln ESD 156 Lincoln ESD 27 Metamora CCSD 1 Murphysboro CUSD 186 Oakland CUSD 5 Olympia CUSD 16 Oswego CUSD 308 Ridgewood CHSD 234 Serena CUSD 2 Shawnee CUSD 84 Spoon River Valley CUSD 4 Valley View CUSD 365U Virginia CUSD 64 Westville CUSD 2 Whiteside SD 115 Winfield SD 34 Others (non-public K-12)

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Achieving the Objectives of the Energy Learning Exchange

Analyze Labor Market Data to Determine Energy Workforce Needs of the Future

Define Ultimate Energy Workforce Goals of the Energy Program of Study

Create and Coordinate a Careers in Energy Week

Continue Statewide Student Energy Challenge

Catalog Existing Energy-Related Lesson Plans and Curriculum in Schools

Create an Online Toolkit

Catalog Existing Energy Programs at Universities, Community College and High Schools

Develop a Catalog User Feedback and Rating System

Monitor Shifting Energy Workforce Need

Assess for Success in the Energy Workforce of the Future

Identify Gaps in Content and Programming

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2015-16 Activity Highlights

Illinois Energy Workforce Consortium (IEWC) Our collaboration with the Illinois Energy Workforce Consortium has been instrumental in fostering public-private partnerships between industry, education, and the community. Our key objectives continue to include analyzing workforce trends as well as determining what skills an entry-level employee needs to be successful in the energy workforce today, tomorrow, and beyond. Members of the Consortium leading the development of activities in Illinois include representatives from the Energy Learning Exchange, Illinois State University, Nicor Gas, AGL Resources, Ameren Illinois, Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, ComEd, Exelon Corporation, Exelon Generation, Mt. Carmel Public Utility Company, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, Primera Engineers, Prairie State Generating Company, S&C Electric Company, MidAmerican Energy, Integrys, City Colleges of Chicago, College of DuPage, Illinois Energy Association, Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, Illinois Green Economy Network, and state government representatives.

Members of the IEWC meet quarterly to discuss industry trends and key issues in training and developing a highly- qualified and diverse energy workforce.

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Careers in Energy Week

October 12-18, 2015, was a celebration of energy careers for students

across the state of Illinois to enjoy. As a member of the Illinois Energy

Workforce Consortium, ELE assists in coordinating Illinois events as part

of the nationwide effort by the Center for Energy Workforce

Development (CEWD) that originated the program to increase public

awareness of careers in the energy field. During Careers in Energy Week,

students are encouraged to learn about energy, the types of careers

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner's Proclamation of Careers in Energy Week

available and what may be expected in

the future, how energy companies

operate, and the importance of energy

companies in the local economy. This is

the third year for this event, informing

teachers of activities and resources via

email through the assistance of the

Illinois State Board of Education.

Illinois teachers are encouraged to

utilize free materials in their classrooms

for Careers in Energy week (or any time)

from the ELE website:

www.energy.illinoisstate.edu/careers/.

Materials include presentations,

curriculum suggestions, videos, and

careers data for the state. Additional

items provided by CEWD include a Get

Into Energy flyer, and a link to the Get

Into Energy website for more resources.

Winning teachers from Careers in Energy Week 2015 activities: Laura Hultquist of

Ladd Community Consolidated School, award presented by Mary Zitek of the

Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives; Kathryn Newton of Gemini Junior High

School, presented by Margi Schiemann of Nicor Gas; and Amy Truemper, Bednarcik

Junior High School, presented by Pat Whiteside of Nicor Gas. Each teacher received

a $250 grant award from the Illinois Energy Workforce Consortium.

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STEM Energy Challenge

The ELE participated again in the annual STEM Challenge

hosted by the Research and Development Learning Exchange.

Jeritt Williams, STEM Coordinator, mentored student teams

from high schools in Washington, Williamsfield, Downers

Grove North and South, to develop innovative solutions to

managing everyday energy use, expanding on concepts of

smart grid and connected home technologies. Dr. David

Loomis, introduced the student teams and their final

presentations at the main event in Chicago in May.

Williamsfield students combined lighting with smart technology to help make a new 1900 SF school STEM lab

more energy efficient. The Washington team’s design was a smart power strip with a control application for

turning appliances on or off, and a model to monitor energy efficiency. Students of Downers Grove North

utilized excess energy storage in batteries to power homes. Downers Grove South students designed a

zip wrist band that uses kinetic energy for emergency power, reducing dependence on outlets. Over 800

students from 19 schools prepared projects.

15th Annual High School Research Symposium

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Members of the ELE served as judges for student energy related projects in the 15th Annual High School Research Symposium in April. Dr. William Hunter of the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (at left), and Dr. David Loomis of the Center for Renewable Energy and Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies listened to students present a short oral summary presentation of their research. Each project abstract was also available for review, and students answered follow-up questions posed by the judges.

Energy Educators Summit

An Energy Educator’s Summit was held in September to provide

information about the Energy Learning Exchange, Smart Grid for

Schools Program, Illinois Energy Workforce Consortium, Careers

in Energy Week, and many resources available to Illinois

teachers.

K-12 teachers from across the state attended the event to learn

about the resources they can utilize for planning their energy

lessons.

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Smart Grid for Schools

Illinois electricity producers and distributors are deploying Smart

Grid technology across the state. For teachers and students to

develop better Smart Grid and Smart Meter knowledge, Illinois

State University was awarded a third grant from the Illinois

Science and Energy Innovation Foundation (ISEIF) to develop

interactive displays and curriculum.

The Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (CeMaST) and the Center for Renewable Energy (CRE) are

working with teachers across the state with curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. The

program is designed to help teachers and students (along with their families and communities) understand the

potential uses and relevance of the Smart Grid, including:

Improved efficiency in the transmission of electricity

Quicker restoration of electricity after power disturbances

Reduced operations and management costs for utilities, and ultimately lower power costs for

consumers

Reduced peak demand, which will also help lower electricity rates

Increased integration of large-scale renewable energy systems

Better integration of customer-owner power generation systems, including renewable energy systems

Improved security

2015-16 Program Results:

Participants Total

Educators Trained

Events Attended

Hard-to-Reach Populations

Family/ Community Involvement

12,049 150+ 39 >50%* >95%*

*According to Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois School Report Card 2013-14

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Open Educational Resources

A key objective of the ELE is to catalog existing energy-related lesson plans and curriculum in schools

(P-20+), create an online toolkit for our members, and create an opportunity for members to give

feedback and share those resources.

The Illinois Shared Learning Environment is collaborating with the ELE

on a pilot program that allows all Illinois STEM Pathways Learning

Exchanges to contribute, catalog, and share P-Adult curriculum

resources within a free, open resource environment. Teachers,

students, and the community are invited to share the very best

materials possible for learning about energy as well as variety of other

topics including employability skills, etc.

The ELE Library can be found here:

https://ioer.ilsharedlearning.org/Library/213/Energy_Learning_Exchange_Library

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Highlights Summary

Delivered teacher professional development at Joliet Junior College

Smart Energy technology presentation at Bloomington High School

Held bi-monthly meetings with the Illinois State Board of Education regarding career education across

the state

Coordinated and participated in quarterly meetings for Illinois Energy Workforce Consortium

Presented at the Energy Providers Coalition for Education meeting

Hosted the Illinois Energy Educator’s Summit at Illinois State University with more than 100 educators in

attendance

Provided technical support and challenges for the Bloomington Area Career Center students

Coordinated “Careers in Energy Week,” engaging with over 1,000 Illinois schools

Provided guest speakers to various schools, including Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Chicago

Delivered professional development to EFE 330 (Champaign area) career teachers and Exelon Clinton

tour

Exhibited at Northern Illinois University’s STEMfest, serving more than 6,000 students and their families

Presented to CTE teachers at the Illinois Technology Educator’s Conference (ITEC) in Normal

Presented at Southern Illinois University about the future of energy education and needs of the

workforce

Participated in the Bloomington Area Career Center 8th Grade Career Expo, interacting with more than

1,300 students

Featured as a panel speaker at the R+D STEM Learning Exchange Challenge at Northwestern University

Various exhibiting for Smart Grid for Schools

Mentored and evaluated students at the 15th Annual High School Research Symposium at Illinois State University

Delivered teacher professional development to 30 elementary educators in the southern region

Mentored and participated in an Energy STEM R+D Challenge that included four schools: Downers Grove South High School, Downers Grove North High School, Washington Community High School, and Williamsfield High School involving over 130 students

Continuation of teacher professional development and student outreach

Coordination of Teacher Field Trips and access to industry professionals

Development and implementation of “Smart Grid for Schools 3.0”

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MS Orientation/ HS Pathway

Post-Secondary Education/

TrainingCareer

Goals of the ELE

A National Model: Career Clusters At this time, there is not a national CTE model for energy. Some states, including Florida and Georgia (with

California, Indiana, and Virginia in-process) have adopted Energy as a career cluster.

The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) recognizes the need for a national and state-level career

cluster, and considers these priorities:

Many opportunities for Energy Jobs are “hidden” within other clusters (e.g. Engineering, Maintenance,

Scientists, Operators, Technicians, etc.)

The Nation has a focus on a clean energy economy (EPA “Clean Power Plan”, 2014)

Expanded opportunities for High School courses to offer dual-credit for colleges, etc.

Industry Recognized Credentials While there is not yet an industry-wide credential that is recognized by the utility workforce in Illinois, the CEWD

has partnered with some other states and various community colleges to offer the Energy Industry

Fundamentals Certificate. Other nationally recognized credentials may include the National Career Readiness

Certificate or other, more specific credentials based on the industry area. In May, Illinois State University was

approved by CEWD to be an Energy Industry Fundamentals Approved Course Provider. ELE will continue to

leverage opportunities to further the adoption of a credential that matches the needs of the energy workforce

with the skills of job seekers and students of Illinois.

According to the Illinois Department of Employment

Security (2010), job opportunities in energy-related

occupations show an average expected growth of more

than 55,000 by 2020. Currently, the average median

annual wage for an energy worker is around $60,000.

*See Appendix: Illinois Energy Careers

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Appendix

ELE Members

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Illinois Energy Careers Employment and Wage Data provided by Illinois Department of Employment Security, Economic Information

and Analysis Division

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Financial Summary

Generous financial contributions through the Energy Learning Exchange Foundation make it possible to support

schools and the community in many of the ways traditional grant-based funding cannot. Examples include the

printing of promotional and marketing materials to raise awareness about energy careers, prizes and funds for

student challenges, funding for meetings, travel, exhibits, and salaries of the high-qualified staff who serve the

Energy Learning Exchange.

FY15 (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016)

ELE Foundation ELE Implementation

Careers in Energy Week $3,360.56 Salary $0

ELE Meetings $830.37 Benefits $0

Exhibiting $198.22 $0

Travel $223.26

$4,612.41

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Contact

Energy Learning Exchange

Illinois State University

Campus Box 8888

Normal, IL 61790-8888

(309) 438-7919

www.Energy.IllinoisState.edu

Energy@IllinoisState.edu

facebook.com/EnergyIL

@EnergyIL