Local students learn the power behind the power industry

"Poor Fluffy!"

A few 8th graders audibly expressed their concern for a stuffed cat as the Benton Rural Electric Association demonstrated what happens when real creatures, like squirrels and cats, climb a power pole. As you might have guessed, Fluffy lost all her nine lives.

The demonstration was part of The Energy Experience, an event for about 600 8th graders attending school in the Tri-Cities area, Kahlotus and Connell. Several energy companies set-up demonstrations on topics ranging from electric to solar to wind power. Then, Stacey Azure from the Franklin PUD says each group of students that took part, rotated around the museum throughout the day to watch, learn and listen to the professionals at each one.

Benton REA, Bonneville Power Administration, Cascade Natural Gas, City of Richland Energy Services, Energy Northwest, Benton PUD and Franklin PUD helped with the event.

It's the second time the STEM-focused energy summit has been put on at the REACH Museum in Kennewick, but Stacey Azure with Franklin PUD says they did not hold one in 2016. Azure says they took advice from teachers in 2015 and this year included more hands-on learning and in-depth information.

"We don't want to just talk at the kids, we want to really engage them, let them do some projects so that they can really learn and grasp the idea," says Azure.

She added it was also a way to introduce kids into careers in the energy industry, by being able to talk with local professionals.

"We have some great careers in this area anywhere from lineman to nuclear engineers to electrical engineers to administrative jobs," says Azure.

From now on, Azure says they hope to continue the The Energy Experience every year for the students.