Unitil, (www.unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England, has helped nearly 9,000 fifth-graders test their science knowledge using a hands-on program developed and taught by Unitil for the past 14 years.
“Every spring, we get the opportunity to provide an interactive review of items that will be on the fifth-graders' MCAS test,” said Alec O’Meara, media relations manager. “When we developed a small pilot program in 2004 for one classroom, we never thought we would end up reaching nearly 9,000 students and be doing the program nearly 15 years later.”
According to Unitil consultant Neil Clark, who teaches the class, the program's longevity is due to the fact the students get to work in small groups, creating open and closed circuits with batteries, wires and flashlight bulbs. Students also learn how an electromagnet works, using a simple bolt, wire and small battery.
In addition to reviewing the science of electricity with the students, Clark also discusses electric safety, including what to do when they see downed wires, whom to call and how to protect younger children from the potential hazard.
Unitil developed the classroom program in 2004 to help students improve their scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) science test.
This year, Clark will teach more than 25 classes in three communities.
Fifth-grade students from Lunenburg’s Turkey Hill Middle School, Hawthorne Brook Middle School in Townsend, and Fitchburg’s Memorial Middle School and Arthur M. Longsjo Jr. Middle School are participants in the program.
Massachusetts requires that students be tested and meet certain minimum requirements because of the Education Reform Law of 1993.
Unitil provides electric service to Ashby, Fitchburg, Lunenburg and Townsend, and natural gas service to those communities, as well as Gardner and Westminster.
