Classroom Presentations

BPA employee volunteers are available to make presentations to classrooms throughout our service territory. Presentations support energy literacy and STEM education, with a short talk about the energy system in the Northwest and a fun, hands-on activity using the engineering method. To schedule a presentation, choose the option from the list below that works best for your class, then complete and submit the Classroom Presentation Request form.

BPA’s classroom program is open for requests from March through May and Sept. through mid-Nov.

K - 3rd grade

Presentations for early elementary grades include a short talk about electricity and where it comes from, along with a hands-on activity called How to Build a Tower. Students work in teams to design and build a transmission tower using Popsicle sticks and tape.

4th - 8th grade

Presentations for late elementary/middle school include a 10 minute interactive presentation on the power system in the Northwest. This is followed by a 50 minute hands-on activity on one of three topics: How to Build a Turbine, How to Build a Motor, or The Great Marble Drop. Each activity demonstrates the engineering and scientific method. Students are presented with a problem, they develop a solution, test it, and then make refinements and share their results.

High School/College

Presentations for high schoolers are available and can be tailored to classroom needs. Topics include Renewable Energy, the Energy Grid and How it Works, Smart Grid, Energy in the News, and Careers in Energy and Engineering. Email your request to our ambassador program coordinator at BPAambassadors@bpa.gov.