Hydropower and Geothermal Energy Education Program for Snohomish County PUD
Situation
While researching new local geothermal energy possibilities and preparing to relicense their existing hydropower project, the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) hired Triangle Associates to best meet their goals of educating students throughout the County on local alternative energy systems.
Process
Triangle developed hands-on classroom workshops for secondary students to review the different forms of energy and how energy transfers and transforms within a system using hydropower and geothermal power plants as examples. Students learn what renewable energy is and how it is beneficial where they live.
Results
Teacher response continues to be overwhelmingly positive. What began as a one month pilot workshop for ninth grade classes was expanded to reach sixth through tenth grade classes and is available for sign-up year round.
To learn more, visit the PUD website here.
“Students were engaged in the task and liked touching and moving. I would recommend the program and hope to have it next year.”
-High school science teacher
“It was great for kids to see how the work they do in class is actually put to use in the local energy systems.”
-Middle school teacher
Triangle has created and delivered highly-rated, innovative education programs for schools on environmental issues for over a decade. 
Triangle has presented over 1,500 assemblies and thousands of classroom workshops to nearly every elementary school in King County.
City of Everett hired Triangle Associates to develop education programs and support materials that will reach students and families in their service area.
Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) hired Triangle Associates to best meet their goals of educating students throughout the County on local alternative energy systems. 
Within the framework of SPU's Environmental Justice Network in Action grant program, Triangle investigated strategies for using the local school systems as a vehicle for community outreach to historically underserved communities.
Triangle staff continue to develop programs and support materials that reach targeted audiences at a time when they are most likely to change their behavior--students who are just learning new habits and parents of young children, concerned about health and safety.
Triangle brings its depth of experience in waste reduction and recycling education to help schools make lasting environmental changes.
Seattle City Light, a nationally recognized climate action leader, hired Triangle Associates in 2008 to educate elementary students and teachers about climate change and the importance of reducing personal carbon footprints through conservation efforts.