Susan Disch and Patsy Boehler of ETHOS talk energy with Barry Visel,
manager of community relations for AEP |
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The ETHOS Science Center was awarded a $200,000 grant from the AEP Foundation that will be used to fund a wide variety of science programs over the next two years.
Patsy Boehler, executive director of ETHOS (Encouraging Technology and Hands On Science), said the AEP grant will help fund capital expenses for renewing and renovating teacher training areas, summer science camp facilities, the Science Center’s Nanotech Lab, Robotics Center, Planetarium, and Hands-On Science Museum.
The museum includes hands-on exhibits such as the energy bike, which was donated by AEP several years ago. The bicycle is hooked up to a generator and light board. By pedaling the bike at varying speeds, students are able to distinguish the amount of energy needed to power three types of light bulbs, incandescent, florescent, and LED.
Boehler noted ETHOS and AEP have been partners for many years and said ETHOS is grateful for the foundation's on-going support. |
Barry Visel, manager of community relations for AEP, said the partnership with ETHOS is a natural one for AEP, which has been hosting training workshops for science teachers throughout the country since President Jimmy Carter founded the National Energy Education Development program in the late 1970s. The NEED program introduced teaching science lessons in modules, which is what ETHOS continues to do today.
“These modules are designed to meet state standards for teaching science," Visel pointed out. "With these modules, we're able to get a well-rounded perspective of energy issues in front of students.
