SUPPLY, NC, November 11, 2003 - - - Science teachers at middle schools all across Brunswick and Columbus counties have a comprehensive new resource for teaching about electricity. Through Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC), each school has received a new educational program called “Get Charged!”, developed by the Discovery Channel School and Touchstone Energy.
Paul Thomas, vice president, Discovery Education notes, “We’re delighted to partner with the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives to help get kids energized about power.”

The Get Charged! program provides basic information developed specifically for grades 5-9 about electricity, how it works and how to use it safely. Each program kit includes an array of teaching materials, from posters, videos, an interactive CD-ROM, activity books for the students, teacher’s resource guide and even detailed lesson plans.

Dana Mauldin, Safety Supervisor of BEMC recently visited Rita Moffett’s 6th grade class at Shallotte Middle School as they began to explore the Get Charged! materials. Dennis Murray and Andrew Leszczynski, both involved in the Science Olympiad program easily cruised through the interactive CD and the Discovery School Internet link. They hope to find a science project idea in the program.

From the “lobby” of the Discovery Channel, students can visit the “Theatre” to view videos on various aspects of electricity, the “Laboratory” to test their knowledge with quizzes and brainteasers; the “Library” to do further research, or the “Studio” where they can create their own slide show complete with images, sounds, text and effects on a variety of topics. At every point in the program, they can make notes in their own “journal” to print or save for later use.
Nikki Yeats and Savannah Payne found some quick quizzes to test what they already knew about electricity. Justin Burney worked with Ms. Moffett exploring electricity web links. Turning to the student workbook, Moffett says “I really like that it’s colorful and fun. The information is presented in short pieces, so you can teach just a page or two at a time, holding the attention of the students.”
Discovery Channel School products have been developed by the world’s most respected brand for television quality and recognized by leading educational groups for their excellence. The curriculum and materials used in the Get Charged! program were developed specifically by Discovery Channel School for classroom use and to comply with National Science Education Standards.

Teachers will find the Lesson Plan information and Teachers A-Z Resource Book especially helpful. Both are full of teaching ideas, specific exercises, and classroom and homework projects to engage students in learning. The two videos are also an easy way to get the ball rolling with good basic information about electricity and the role that electric cooperatives play in providing power for their communities.

“We’re excited about bringing the Get Charged! program to our schools” said Robert W. “Chip” Leavitt, Jr., CEO of Brunswick EMC. “The materials are colorful, fun and offer a variety of activities to engage students at all levels. Get Charged! is a great addition to our ongoing school safety initiatives. Along with our Bright Ideas educational grants, this program gives us another way to support our teachers and our schools.”