May 2010
This issue of Energy Exchange includes former NEED students and teachers telling how their involvement with NEED shaped their lives and their careers. Activities allow students to explore their own energy use and how that use differs once summer break starts.

March 2010
NEED celebrates its 30th anniversary on March 21, 2010. Learn about NEED’s founding. Student activities focus on how energy has changed over the years. This issue also highlights NEED’s work with the Office of Energy Resources in Rhode Island and the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. 

December 2009
This issue explores the concepts of electricity and magnetism. NEED's national partnership with ConocoPhillips is highlighted and information about the 2010 Youth Awards for Energy Achievement and National Energy Conference for Educators is included. Teacher spotlight on Joanne Spaziano from Cranston, Rhode Island.

October 2009 
The Energy Awareness Month issue has activities designed to help students understand the energy we use each day and the cost of that energy. The new Idaho Energy Conference for Educators is highlighted along with a Teacher Spotlight from Rockford, Michigan's Shelly Baumann. NEED welcomes Dena Foster to the NEED team as well.

August 2009
The BACK TO SCHOOL issue! This issue includes classroom activities from the NEED climate module coming soon. Highlights of the 29th Annual NEED Youth Awards for Energy Achievement and the award winners recognized at the annual Washington, D.C. event are included as are spotlights on successful NEED programs in Kentucky and California. New this year is a Teacher Spotlight - on using NEED in your classroom.

April 2009
This issue provides educators with solar energy and energy efficiency activities for students. Updates on the PG&E Solar Schools Program, the new Gulf Power-NEED Program and other exciting opportunities for educators and NEED partners are included.

February 2009
The activities in this issue focus on the science of energy. Primary, elementary and intermediate students explore different aspects of energy and motion. Secondary students discover what variables affect chemical energy transforming into electrical energy.

Nov 2008
The activities in this newsletter focus on hydropower. Primary students make a water wheel, elementary students discover how height impacts the force of water, intermediate students learn more about the different ways to use water to produce electricity in a fun new game, and secondary students take on different roles to determine what a city should do about using hydropower to meet their energy needs. Choose Your Own Hydropower Adventure Posters.

Sept. 2008
This issue has activities about transportation. The primary and elementary activities focus on school buses, what materials are used to make them and what fuels are used by them. The intermediate and secondary activities investigate personal vehicle fuel economy. Also included is an article about the components of gasoline pricing.

May 2008
This issue includes an elementary activity about seismic technology in the exploration of oil and gas reserves and a 2007-2008 NEED Evaluation Form. Teachers who complete the evaluation and return to NEED by June 1, 2008, will be entered into a random drawing to receive NEED hands-on kits of their choice.

Mar 2008
This issue includes a primary/elementary activity about the energy in food and an intermediate/secondary activity making models and comparing the properties of butane, propane, ethane and methane.

Jan 2008
This newsletter includes a primary/elementary activity exploring gravity and an elementary/intermediate photosynthesis simulation activity.

Nov 2007
This issue features a primary transportation activity, an intermediate article on PHEVs (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles) and a secondary article on new CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards.

Sept 2007
This newsletter includes the Harry Spotter and the Quest for the Right Light play, two Elementary Wind Energy logic puzzles and an Intermediate/Secondary Harry Spotter and Windy Myths logic puzzle.

Apr 2007
This newsletter has an end-of-the-year evaluation. Activities focus on energy management and include energy and machines, creating Energy Waster posters, comparing incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs’ heat output and comparing EnergyGuide labels.

Feb 2007
This newsletter contains the play "Harry Spotter and the Chamber of Windy Myths" which helps students understand the myths about using wind to generate electricity.

Nov 2006
Activities include exploring open and closed circuits, insulators and conductors, and series and parallel circuits. An article explains distributed energy, its uses and current technologies.

Sept 2006
This newsletter contains a list of grant opportunities for teachers, an article about starting an energy club at school and an energy picture with suggested primary and elementary activities.

May 2006
This newsletter is an end-of-the-year evaluation newsletter. Activities include an energy source logic placement puzzle, or sudoku.

Mar 2006
Activities include a story about biogas, an activity about biogas, and articles about George Washington Carver and biomass technologies.

Jan 2006
Activities include an activity about gravitational potential energy, an experiment about simple machines, and an article about methane hydrates.

Nov 2005
Activities include activities about coal mining and crystal formation, and an article about carbon sequestration.

Sept 2005
Activities include an experiment about ultraviolet light, an activity about solar energy, and an article about solar technologies.

May 2005
This newsletter is an end-of-the-year evaluation newsletter. There are no activities in this newsletter.

Apr/May 2005
Activities include energy source puzzles, and articles about solar, tidal, and coal technologies, and careers on an offshore oil rig.

Mar 2005
Activities include a comparison of energy use in the U.S. over the past 25 years.

Jan/Feb 2005
Activities include an activity comparing transportation of different eras, and articles about human transporters and space technologies.

Nov/Dec 2004
Activities include an activity about observing weather, a worksheet about reading weather maps, and articles about energy in hurricanes and hurricane disruption technology.

Sept/Oct 2004
Activities include a game about energy sources and an article about recovering petroleum from sunken ships.

Apr/May 2004
Activities include experiments about simple machines and electrolysis, and articles about hydrogen fuel cells and storing nuclear waste.

Feb/Mar 2004
Activities include an experiment about simple machines, and articles about biodiesel, liquefied natural gas, and a hydrogen fuel cell plane.

Nov/Dec 2003
Activities include an activity about wind, a story about short circuits, and an article about the electrical blackout of the northeastern U.S. and Canada in August 2003.

Aug/Sept 2003
Activities include a worksheet about sound, and articles about ethanol and natural gas.

Mar/Apr 2003
Activities include a worksheet about waste disposal, and articles about ethanol and how electricity is measured.

Jan/Feb 2003
Activities include a worksheet with a dichotomous key for energy sources, an energy source web quest, and articles about electric vehicles and gamma ray bursts.

Nov/Dec 2002
Activities include an experiment about ultraviolet light, articles about hybrid electric vehicles and glow in the dark toys, and a worksheet about energy consumption in the United States.

Sept 2002
Activities include experiments about thermometers and simple machines, and articles about wind and petroleum technologies.

May 2002
Activities include an experiment about solar energy, and an activity about making a compass.

Mar 2002
Activities include experiments about weight and evaporation.

Jan 2002
Activities include worksheets about transportation and geothermal energy, an experiment about evaporation, and an article technologies capturing waste heat.

Nov 2001
Activities include experiments about solar energy and an article about the economic and energy impacts of September 11 terrorist attacks.

May 2001
Activities include a story about wind, an experiment about the properties of a liquid, and an article on energy consumption in the United States.

Mar 2001
Activities include a story about propane, experiments about friction and force, and an article about electric power supply.

Jan 2001
Activities include a story about fossil fuels, experiments about sound and potential energy, and an article about offshore oil platforms.

Dec 2000
Activities include a story about hydropower, experiments about sound and density, and an article about solar technologies.

Oct 2000
Activities include a story about ethanol, experiments about light reflection and calibrating a thermometer, and an article about offshore wind energy.

April 2010
Explore careers in the solar energy industry. Learn about positions available in this growing field. Read interviews with an engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the president of a solar mounting company and a program manager that has seen the solar business grow and change over the last 30 years.

February 2010
This issue focuses on careers in the coal industry. Carbon capture and storage is discussed. This issue also includes interviews with a mining engineer, an energy trader, and more.

November 2009
This issue explores the concept of "Green" Jobs, what makes a job a green job, and what career opportunities are there for today's students in the energy workforce of tomorrow. Any job can be a green job as students explore today's careers and how companies and agencies are becoming "green" and promoting "greener" ways of doing business.

September 2009
This issue explores the transportation of energy sources, fuels, and products on the nation's inland waterways and the people who make it happen. A spotlight on the upcoming River Transportation curriculum sponsored by RiverWorks Discovery is included as well.

May 2009
This issue explores the electricity transmission grid and the many people dedicated to creating a new and improved Smart Grid. Special thanks to the GridWise Alliance for their assistance on this issue.

March 2009
This issue focuses on professionals who work in the nuclear energy industry. It includes career interviews with a former Primary Chemistry Manager, SRO from Limerick Generating Station, a Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology from the Council on Foreign Relations, a Project Manager in Workforce Planning from Dominion Power, and a Visiting Chemistry Professor at Washington and Lee University. The newsletter also has information about a new website for K-12 students from the Office of Nuclear Energy.

January 2009
This issue focuses on professionals who work in the fields of energy analysis and human resources. It includes career interviews with an International Energy Analyst and an Oil Market Analyst, both of whom work for the Energy Information Administration, as well as an interview with a Senior Advisor of Recruiting & Staffing for ConocoPhillips. This issue introduces NEED Executive Board member, Guy Caruso, and spotlights education outreach programs with two NEED sponsors, ConocoPhillips and the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

October 2008
This issue focuses on the diversity of careers and professionals who live and work in the Appalachian Region of the United States. It includes career interviews with the Deputy Director of the Power Electronics and Electrical Power Systems Research Center at Oak Ridge National Lab and a Customer & Distribution Services Manager for Kentucky Power. This issue highlights a college student’s summer internship experience at the National Energy Technology Lab, as well as several unique degree programs offered at universities and colleges located in Appalachia. It also includes a brief energy history of Appalachia, and an introduction to a new NEED staff member, Vernon Kimball

April 2008
This issue focuses on the diversity of careers and professionals within the energy industry, including career interviews with the Regional Director of Government Affairs for El Paso/SNG Pipelines, the Education Program Coordinator at NREL and the Program Manager of TXU Energy Solar Academy. This issue looks at some benefits of higher education, and discusses the diversity found in the energy industry. NEED partner, Southern Natural Gas is spotlighted, as well as scholarship opportunities for underrepresented minorities through the American Association of Blacks in Energy.

February 2008
This issue focuses on careers at the United States’ National Laboratories, including career interviews with a Mechanical Engineering Section Supervisor and a Chemical Engineering Project and Acting Group Leader. This issue introduces each of the National Labs, and spotlights some interesting research and development projects– adsorbing CO2, using molasses to clean groundwater, using solar energy to make gasoline, and studying plant defense hormones to make better biofuels. Sponsors will find information about attending NEED’s annual Passport to Energy Careers Fair in June.

Dec 2007
This issue focuses on careers in the petroleum and natural gas industry, including career interviews with a Marine Biologist, a Production Planner, and a Geologist. This issue looks at the business side of the oil and gas industry profiling a Landman’s career, and discusses the growing demand for skilled workers in the offshore industry. The Society of Petroleum Engineers is spotlighted, as well as a promising renewable technology-turning algae into oil.

Oct. 2007
This issue focuses on careers in power generation, transmission and distribution, including career interviews with a Charitable Contributions Program Manager for Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and the Assistant Superintendent for Cuyahoga Falls Electric System. This issue profiles the extreme career of a Journey Lineman, and also a Power-Generation Equipment Repairer in the U.S. Army. There is a discussion of career opportunities-from Electrical Engineers to Electrical Line Installers, information on nuclear Power Plant Operators and different types of electric utilities. This issue spotlights the NEED sponsor, American Electric Power, and discusses the problem of bird streamer flashovers-blackouts caused by bird poop.

Mar. 2007
This issue explores careers in the hydropower industry, including an interview with a hydroelectric power plant superintendent, the profile of a hydrologist and a discussion of career opportunities - from environmental engineers to power plant distributors. This issue spotlights The Hydro Research Foundation, a NEED sponsor, and lists hydropower energy information and career resources. This issue also highlights fish using “ladders” to swim around dams, hydropower-related jobs in public safety and entertainment, and a robot that crawls into generators to perform inspections.

Dec. 2006
This issue explores offshore energy careers, including a profile of commercial diving, a spotlight on the NEED sponsor Minerals Management Service, a listing of offshore energy information and career resources, and a discussion of career opportunities in the offshore energy industry - from ocean engineers to marine technicians. This issue also highlights offshore sources of energy: oil and natural gas, methane hydrates, wind, and wave energy.

Oct. 2006
This issue explores careers in the wind industry. Interviews include a development engineer working with wind turbines in remote, off-grid locations, and the operations manager of southern California's largest wind farm. Additional articles include information on crane operators, the 2006 Passport to Energy Careers Fair, suggestions for getting a job in the wind industry, colleges that offer wind energy certificate/degree programs, Texas leading the nation in wind energy capacity, hot research topics and career opportunities in the wind industry, and a listing of wind energy information and career resources.

Apr. 2006
This issue explores careers in the solar industry, including an interview with a solar installer, articles on solar energy benefiting tribal homes, colleges that offer solar energy certificate/degree programs, solar energy technologies (photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, passive solar heating and daylighting, solar water heating, hybrid solar lighting), the Solar Decathlon program, descriptions of solar industry occupations, a listing of solar energy information and career resources, and a book review of “Changing Our World: True Stories of Women Engineers” by Sybil E. Hatch.

Feb. 2006
This issue explores careers in nuclear science and technology, including profiles of a nuclear engineer and nuclear medicine technologist, articles on nuclear propulsion, the diverse field of nuclear science and technology (nuclear medicine, environmental research, art), radionuclides and radioisotopes, fission, careers in a nuclear power plant, and a listing of nuclear energy information and career resources.

Dec. 2005
This issue explores careers in energy management, including a profile of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration system (HVACR) technicians and an interview with a certified energy manager, articles on green building, energy efficient products for your home, careers in energy management, a listing of energy management information and career resources, a home energy audit activity and a crossword puzzle.

Oct. 2005
This issue explores careers in the petroleum and natural gas industries, including profiles of a petroleum engineer and the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), and articles on what’s new in the petroleum and natural gas industry (seismic and visualization technology, drilling technology, undersea vehicle technology), career choices in the petroleum and natural gas industry, a listing of petroleum industry information and career resources, and a word find.

Career Currents Teacher Guide