Helping Teachers Inside and Outside of the Classroom
The Santee Cooper team takes pride in supporting each school district we serve with donations and resources, and we start even before the school year begins.
Each July, Santee Cooper sponsors the Energy Educators Institute, a graduate level course for certified South Carolina K-12 teachers and administrators accredited through Charleston Southern University.
Participants explore the scientific concepts of energy, its sources, and use and impact on the environment, economy and society. A real-world understanding of the power and purpose of electricity is learned through presentations by energy experts, discussions, field experiences and hands-on activities. Teachers complete the institute armed with materials relevant to the curriculum and correlated to state standards.
This three-week, interactive and interdisciplinary course requires a four-day residential stay at Santee Cooper's Wampee Conference Center on Lake Moultrie in Pinopolis. Although a tranquil setting, it proves to be the perfect place to build professional relationships and participate in a diverse learning experience. During the first and third week of the institute, participants will interact and complete assignments online. The second week of the course is spent onsite at Santee Cooper's Wampee Conference Center.
From there, the work continues for our Education Programs Administrator Brandy Incorvia. Just a couple of weeks ago, Horry County Schools invited her to conduct a session for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers. Incorvia shared the presentations she can do in the classroom for the teachers, materials available for them to use, and let them know we are here to help as they enter the school year.
The teachers participated in our electricity escape room activity before checking out the materials available for them. Incorvia also discussed STEM education nights, career days and other events which Santee Cooper supports.
Now that the school year is underway, Incorvia and the rest of the Santee Cooper team can contribute:
- Free publications for teachers to use in their classrooms.
- Classroom presentations on energy science, electrical safety, energy careers and more.
- Santee Cooper’s interactive website just for kids, e-SMARTkids.
- Tours of Santee Cooper facilities.
- Mobile safety demonstrations about electricity.
