18 Local Schools Participate in PECO Environmental Education Program

PECO has identified 18 local schools to participate in the 2012 PECO Energizing Education Program (PEEP). PEEP is an environmental education program designed to teach local middle school students about the science of energy, renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, electricity generation and energy efficiency both at home and at school.

The program was designed in partnership with the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED), the nation’s leading provider of energy education programs and materials for schools, and The Franklin Institute, a renowned leader in the field of science and technology.

Participating in the program this year are: Scott Middle School in Chester County; Chichester Middle School, Glenolden School, and Widener Partnership Charter in Delaware County; Cedarbrook Middle School, East Norriton School, and Penndale Middle School in Montgomery County; and Central High School, Girard College, Imani Education Charter, Jubilee School, Logan Hope School, Morton McMichael School, Southwark Elementary, St. Francis De Sales, Stetson Charter School, Universal Vare Charter, and Wordsworth Academy in Philadelphia.

"It is essential to educate our young people early about energy efficiency and environmental preservation,” said Jeff Gordon, manager of Corporate Relations for PECO. "This program helps ensure that students understand the importance of being a smart energy consumer.”

A "hands-on,” project-based curriculum, PEEP explores the relationship between energy efficiency and conservation and environmental preservation. Teachers complete a two-day workshop where they receive a curriculum overview, and then bring their learning back to their classrooms. Following the classroom curriculum, teachers and students will go on an environmental field trip, and students participate in a school energy audit and receive home energy audit kits. Each school also will receive $2,500 in funding from PECO for an energy efficiency project.

The PEEP program began in 2009 with five local schools participating. In 2010, that number doubled, and in 2011, 14 schools signed on with a total of 1,668 students participating.

With a principal focus on math, science and environmental education, PECO supports programs that encourage students from all backgrounds to stay in school, develop their talents and continue their education beyond high school. Since 1969, the company has sponsored the Philadelphia Academies' Academy of Applied Electrical Science, and contributes more than $150,000 annually in scholarships for limited income students at local colleges and universities--a great investment in our future workforce.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). PECO serves 1.6 million electric and 490,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region. PECO delivered 87.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 39.5 billion kilowatt-hours-hours of electricity in 2010. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations.

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