Energizing Student Potential – BGE

Energizing Student Potential – BGE

New to ESP? Click here to apply!

Returning ESP Applicants, Click here to apply for 2024-2025 Program

Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis 

What Is Energizing Student Potential Program?

The Energizing Student Potential Program is “STEM project-based,” combining classroom activities with a school energy audit by students, a student-run energy fair and an energy-focused STEM challenge as well as numerous opportunities for energy speakers, career connections and expanded STEM resources for the classroom. Students learn about all energy sources, electricity generation, climate science, energy efficiency and energy careers and share their knowledge with others.

BGE and the Exelon Foundation, in partnership with the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, offer local schools the Energizing Student Potential (ESP), a STEM-focused energy program for grades 3 – 8. This program brings together standards-based curriculum for use by educators and afterschool program leaders throughout the BGE service area. The program is also perfect for youth advocacy organizations with afterschool or weekend programs for youth.

Energizing Student Potential is a collaborative educational initiative designed to empower students to explore opportunities in STEM fields and help them discover their own path to innovation through a variety of classroom subjects. ESP is designed to help educators bring energy into the school and to provide all the tools and resources necessary for students and educators to learn together, explore energy together, and teach their local communities about energy while learning about energy careers as well. Teacher Training Workshops on a variety of energy topics – including the Science of Energy, Forms and Transformations, Energy Sources, Electricity, Transportation, Climate Science, Energy Efficiency and Energy Careers.

Offerings for School Year:

  • Teacher Training Workshops on a variety of energy topics – including the Science of Energy, Forms and Transformations, Energy Sources, Electricity, Transportation, Climate Science and Energy Efficiency. Workshops include substitute reimbursement or stipend for Saturday workshops.
  • Teacher selected NEED energy kits and classroom curriculum valued at $1,000.
  • Mini-grants of up to $400 available via application to support additional ESP supplies or resources for the classroom.
  • An ESP Energy Fair kit for students to create an Energy Fair to share their knowledge with each other and the local community.
  • Resources for direct to student content – YouTube and Instagram Live sessions that connect to an ESP content area – electricity, solar, wind, efficiency, nuclear, as well as links to energy videos, virtual tours and more.
  • Student Energy Team Trainings for small group of students (clubs) with NEED’s Certified Energy Manager and other staff on managing energy use in the school (and in the home). Topics can include general energy, energy efficiency, engineering, and more.
  • Opportunities to request Exelon volunteers to chat with students to learn more about energy careers.
  • Exelon-wide Energy Innovation Challenge for students to “opt in” for participation within a class or individually.

Program Resources:

  • ESP Login Site
  • ESP Program Welcome & Details (PDF)
  • Teacher Evaluation (Available Spring 2025)
  • Student Evaluation (Available Spring 2025)
  • Final Project Guidelines – Create a few slides, short video with a link, or PDF of your students engaged in the ESP Program and email to info@need.org
  • NEED Curriculum Guides – Science of Energy, Solar, Wind, Oil and Natural Gas, Nuclear, Energy Management, and MORE!

Optional Program Opportunities: