MONCKS CORNER — This summer Santee Cooper provided hands-on experience in critical fields of the energy industry such as power generation and the development and use of renewable energy to two Union County educators as part of the 25th annual Energy Educators Institute series at the Wampee Conference Center in Pinopolis.

More than 80 educators from across the state participated in this graduate level course, receiving planning materials and gaining knowledge about the production of electricity and the opportunities and challenges of renewable energy.

This was illustrated through field experiences and tours of Santee Cooper facilities. Santee Cooper held three institutes this summer.

Lara Ann Whitehead, a science teacher at Jonesville Middle and Union County High, called the Institute a wonderful experience.

“I have gained knowledge on electricity, nature and wildlife that I am excited to take back to school and share with my students,” Whitehead said.

Each of the four-day institutes included trips to Santee Cooper’s Jefferies Generating Station, the Old Santee Canal Park and industrial customer Alcoa-Mt. Holly, hands-on learning activities and unit planning sessions. Santee Cooper experts addressed topics such as energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, environmental resources, power generation, transmission, distribution, electrical safety, water quality and utility economics.

“The Energy Educators Institute provides engaging standards-based lesson plans in an environment that promotes networking problem-solving with fellow educators,” said Barbara Allen, Santee Cooper’s director of educational programs. “Not only do they learn from the curriculum that Santee Cooper offers, but they learn from each other.”

“The Institute is a wonderful opportunity to bring teachers together from across the state to share ideas in a learning environment,” said Barry Smith, a government and economics teacher at Union County High.

“Through providing important and timely resources to educators, Santee Cooper continues to live out a long-standing commitment to public education,” said Lonnie Carter, Santee Cooper president and chief executive officer. “Based on what they learned through the Energy Educators Institute, the teachers are able to better equip students with the knowledge and tools they need in order to understand the energy issues important to our world today.”

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, and the state’s largest power producer.

The ultimate source of electricity for two million South Carolinians, Santee Cooper is dedicated to being the state’s leading resource for improving the quality of life for the people of South Carolina.