Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation is once again partnering with the National Theatre for Children (NTC) to educate students and their families about energy efficiency. During the 2019-20 school year, professional actors from NTC visited 60 elementary schools with live performances of The Energized Guyz, sparking conversations on energy efficiency in classrooms throughout Central Hudson’s service area.

The theater is back performing the program via livestream for the 2020-2021 school year, enabling students from 55 elementary and 18 middle schools to participate from the safety of their homes. While delivery of the program has changed to an e-learning format, students and teachers agree that they are still receiving valuable lessons in a way that is interactive, educational and engaging.

“Like every year, this was great,” said Joanna Miller, a second-grade teacher at Plattekill Elementary School. “So engaging for my little ones. I was nervous how it would be virtually but I am so pleased. Thank you!!!”

“This was awesome,” added Ryan Burns, a teacher at New Paltz Middle School. “Many of my students tuned in and enjoyed. I am grateful and would love to participate more again in the future. I'll be sure to check the digital student activities.”

The performances are a part of Central Hudson’s energy efficiency outreach and education program. For homes and businesses alike, energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reduce waste and lower emissions.

“The program was successful last year in teaching children about the importance of protecting the environment and saving money and resources by being energy efficient,” said Anthony Campagiorni, Vice President Customer Services and Gas Operations at Central Hudson. “While this school year is different, we are pleased that the National Theatre for Children found a creative e-learning solution that continues to provide these valuable lessons virtually.”

The performances feature a live host who introduces the program, sets up and recaps a series of four educational videos, and leads a Q&A in which students and teachers can submit questions for the host to answer live in real time. The livestream events are supplemented by both print and online student playbooks and a full digital curriculum including games, activities, e-books, hands-on lessons, assessments for educators, and smart speaker apps. Elementary school students are presented with Energy Endgame performance, while middle school students are presented with Energy Guardians. Both performances focus on:

• What energy is;
• The uses of energy;
• How energy is wasted; and
• Ways to conserve energy.

The live program for elementary school students’ centers on the character Nikki Neutron, a superhero tasked with saving energy. With the help of student volunteers, as well as other colorful characters such as U.R. Fired, Nikki sets off to learn about energy conservation and defeat the infamous Sneaker, a villain obsessed with wasting energy.

In addition to live performances, the program includes digital activities that align with the important concepts outlined in the live shows. Central Hudson sponsors every aspect of the program, making the performances and materials a cost-free supplement to lessons in science, literacy and the arts. For more information, visit www.NationalTheatre.com/Programs/.     

For a complete list of participating schools and locations on the tour, and for information on school enrollment, contact Michael Lauchaire, Efficiency Program Manager at Central Hudson at mlauchaire@cenhud.com. For more information on Central Hudson’s energy efficiency programs, visit www.CentralHudson.com/Incentives

#          #          #