First Choice Power Awards Annual Teacher Grants

• Alan Small of Northbrook Elementary School in Saginaw: "How can elementary students become ambassadors of amperage and watchers of wattage through the innovative use of technology?" Third-graders will use laptop computers, stop-motion cameras and video-editing software to create a series of short movies about energy and conservation of natural resources.

"The First Choice Power grant allows me to teach energy-efficiency to my students in a fun and creative way by integrating new technology and tools to our lessons," Small said.

• Kori Acevedo's of Helen Edwards Early Childhood Center in Kaufman: "What is Energy? Can You Show Me the Light?" Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students will explore energy and light with a series of lessons that include UV bracelets studying the sun's energy.

• Lucy Lara of Crockett Middle School in Pecos: "Race to the Future! Which energy source is most efficient and environmentally friendly?" Students will be given a solar car kit to race their cars against a hydrogen-powered car and a wind-powered car.

"The First Choice Power grant allows me to provide hands-on learning experiences for my students," Lara said. "Incorporating math and science into one project provides the connectivity students need in education."

• Lucy Vivian of Goodson Middle School in Cypress: "How can we balance meeting the needs of energy dependence in a modern world with the responsibility of protecting the environment?" Students will explore various ways to produce energy: hydroelectric, solar, wind, nuclear, coal, and natural gas and evaluate factors related to the various types of energy, such as costs, productivity, compatibility with needs and resources available, and potential risks to the environment.