Under the A+ for Energy program, BP will present grants to teachers who submit proposals for creative classroom, after-school, extra-curricular or summer activities focused on energy education and/or energy conservation. The program’s partners include Inside Education, the Canadian Centre for Energy Information, Global Television, the Edmonton Journal and the Calgary Herald.

       “BP's A+ for Energy program was developed to capture the spirit of innovation and to recognize those teachers who inspire learning in their students by creating exciting and memorable experiences around the subject of energy,” said BP Canada President Randy McLeod.
        The A+ for Energy grants, which are intended to emphasize unbiased energy education, will be C$5,000 or C$10,000 each.

        "The A+ for Energy program will support innovative approaches to energy education and conservation inside and outside the classroom," said Alberta Education Minister Ron Liepert. “Education plays an important role in expanding our students’ understanding of our province and helps them to better understand the challenges of our changing world.”

        As part of its A+ for Energy program, BP said it will also award grant recipients a scholarship to attend a three-day energy education conference conducted by Inside Education, an Alberta-based, nonprofit educational society that provides natural resources and environment education. The all-inclusive scholarship will cover travel, meals and lodging expenses as well as a Science of Energy Kit valued at C$500. The kit includes classroom tools and materials to help educators teach about energy.

       "Inside Education is pleased to participate in a program that will afford an opportunity for Alberta teachers and their students, the decision-makers of tomorrow, to gain awareness, knowledge and ultimately act on all they learn about energy sources, uses and conservation,” said Inside Education Executive Director, Steve McIsaac.

      BP said it started the A+ for Energy program in California in 2004 to encourage active learning about energy sources and issues and to help young people make better informed choices about their own energy use in the future. The educational program has been expanded into other parts of the US and now, Alberta, marking the program’s first venture into Canada.

      Any K-12 teacher currently teaching in Alberta public or private schools is eligible to submit an application. The submission deadline is May 18, 2007.

      Winners will be announced June 11. Applications are available online at www.aplusforenergy.com/alberta or by calling 1-877-243-6760.

        Applications will be reviewed and selected by an independent panel comprised of current and retired Alberta teachers and other educators.

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