What
Educators Say About VEEP
The outcomes of this project are superb… Thank you for the quality of the project, and the time you devoted to evaluation.
Suzanne Masland, Director, Central Vermont STW Collaborative
I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated your time and effort to present energy and electricity information to all of our 5/6 classes. I received a lot of positive feedback from both the students and teachers. I was especially pleased with the format of your presentation and how well it engaged all students. I hope we can call on you again in the future.
Michaela Whitman, Hinesburg Community School
The VEEP presentation really helped my students apply the electricity concepts we've learned in class this year!
Shelia McKennerney, St. Albans Town Educational Center
Energy is great stuff and VEEP makes it understandable to me and my students. For the last eight years I have been working with VEEP on a variety of energy related projects including solar collectors, solar concentrators, heat exchangers, motors, generators, school energy efficiency, and related curriculum and assessment. The professional support offered by VEEP in terms of teacher planning and workshops, and in class time with students has been incredibly fun and inspiring. Working with these consulting professionals who are deeply knowledgeable in science, engineering, and curriculum design, and who additionally communicate wonderfully with kids, is a great model for teaching and learning.
The plaudits go on. VEEP’s educational philosophy is inquiry based. Students think hard when these guys are around. Students design, build, analyze, make project modifications, gather data, analyze again, then conclude (sometimes my students present their findings to the school board). The scientific method is made real here- not a dry, rote, five step process. When the project is over, students will know about that stuff called energy, how it can be handled, where it comes from and where it is going, and also students will be much more aware of the environmental impact of energy use.
On a personal note, the VEEP staff (all of them) are very warm and supportive of us teachers. They understand our mission and the challenges of working with a range of students, a variety of materials, and limitations of time. Call them. They might have some grant money available to help make your school year extra-special.
Charles Wanzer, Cabot School science and math teacher
I’ve been working with Fran and Andy for a number of years. The “solar unit” has gained a reputation as being one of the best units in the sixth grade. The students enjoy learning the concepts of this truly hands-on experience. They get to design, test and modify their collectors with the help of a “real” energy consultant who has a great deal of insight to the children’s needs. When Andy is not in the classroom the students contact him via e-mail or phone with their questions. This adds a depth to their projects that they have not encountered before.
As an educator, I have been in the forefront of developing Vermont Standards-based units. This unit [solar challenge] covers all the bases. It does an especially good job with inquiry-based learning through numerous investigations.
My team also benefits from Fran and Andy’s expertise, as many of the concepts are new to teachers outside of science. Their patience has been abundant and we do not hesitate to ask them to clarify any of our own misconceptions. They make the learning environment comfortable for everyone.
Lastly, I appreciate the way that they help modify the unit to fit the students’ needs. Due to the socio-economic make-up of the Barre community, many of our students need additional help understanding concepts. Both Andy and Fran have found ways to make this learning experience understandable for all participants.
Maggie Benson, Barre Elementary School
If you'd like to talk to teachers about our programs, we can help you contact someone in your area.
© VEEP 2003