At New Holstein Utilities, we believe that nothing is as important to the future of the community as our young citizens. We pride ourselves on our commitment to energy and safety education in New Holstein.

Whether it’s through the classroom or the community, we strive to provide a strong network of information to further educate community members about electric and water subjects and how it relates to customers both young and old.

As parts of our ongoing educational efforts, New Holstein Utilities provides educational materials and presentations to schools, service groups and seniors. We also provide teaching units, videos, publications and workshops to interested groups all year long.

The following are just a few examples of our energy and safety education tools.

Energy Cycle

The Energy Cycle is a bicycle-powered generator that teaches basic scientific concepts related to the conversion of energy from one form to another and its efficient use for lighting, heating, and transportation. These concepts become tangible as the cyclist literally feels the effort required to light a bulb, heat water, or spin a motor.

KEEP scholarships

The utility provides scholarships for local teachers to attend KEEP — the statewide K-12 Energy Education Program. KEEP is a 16-hour in-service that helps teachers integrate hands-on energy education activities into their classrooms. The program also demonstrates how teachers can use energy education to ensure that their students meet Wisconsin academic standards.

KEEP makes the sometimes-intimidating topic of energy understandable to students of all ages. Second graders can learn about the coal mining process as they “find resources” in chocolate chip cookies. Middle school students can experiment with properties of motors by modeling an electric motor. High school students can discuss “energy futures” by studying energy trends and new technologies.

Local Circuit

The Local Circuit is a newsletter designed to provide our commercial and residential customers with information about programs and services as well as energy efficiency, technology and industry information. This publication is sent quarterly and reaches all of our customers.

National Theatre for Children

Each year, the utility sponsors 3 live theatre shows presented by the Minneapolis-based National Theatre for Children! (NTC). NTC tours the United States presenting lively, interactive educational shows. NTC dedicates itself to educating young people on important and timely energy-related topics. Coined with printed curriculum materials and teacher guides, their imaginative and customized presentations effectively reach the students, teachers and parents.

PowerTOWN

The eight-foot power TOWN educational model makes a lasting impression at safety presentations. The crackle of a high voltage electrical arc reinforces electrical safety messages that school-age audiences will not soon forget. This realistic tool demonstrates the effects of:

• Contacting overhead lines by an antenna
• Contacting overhead lines by a kite
• Contacting overhead lines by a metal pipe
• Contacting overhead lines by a tree
• Contacting a padmount transformer
• Energizing a vehicle by a downed overhead line
• Energizing a metal fence by a downed overhead line
• Exploding a pole mount transformer
• Contacting substation transformers
• Contacting overhead line with a sailboat mast
• Contacting underground power cable with a backhoe
• "Call Before You Dig"