The Energy Experience at The REACH

​The REACH Interpretive Center is collaborating with local energy partners to host the fourth Energy Experience, a STEM-focused energy and environmental summit for 8th grade students in the Mid-Columbia region on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 from 8:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. 

Partners of the event include the Benton Conservation District, Benton PUD, Benton REA, Bonneville Power Administration, Cascade Natural Gas, City of Richland Energy Services, Energy Northwest and Franklin PUD.  Over 400 students and their teachers from the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas will be attending. 

The objective of the event is to create awareness and understanding of energy generation, safety, energy efficiency and public power. The day’s events will focus on the Common Core and Next-Generation science standards for 8th grade. The primary focus will be on educating students on various forms of energy including hydropower, nuclear, wind, solar, natural gas and how they power the region as well as the benefits and challenges of each form and the role of energy efficiency.

Each of the supporting partners will have interactive hands-on booth displays for the students to experience the benefits of our region’s energy resources. There will be outdoor safety demonstrations to teach students about electrical and natural gas safety. Students will also be introduced to careers in the energy industry through equipment displays and discussions with local energy professionals.