Unitil, (www.unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England, shows students how to test their science knowledge through a hands-on program that it teaches annually to area fifth-graders.
“This is our 15th year of providing an interactive review of topics that will be on the fifth-graders’ MCAS test,” said Alec O’Meara, media relations manager. “In 2004 we developed a small pilot program for one classroom and now has reached nearly 10,000 students in Fitchburg, Townsend and Lunenburg.”
According to Unitil consultant Neil Clark, who teaches the class, the students really like working in small groups and 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 to help students improve their scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) science test.
This year, Clark will teach nearly 25 classes in three communities.
Fifth-grade students from Lunenburg’s Turkey Hill Middle School, Hawthorne Brook Middle School in Townsend, Fitchburg’s Memorial Middle School, McKay Arts Academy 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.
