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Apogee Interactive's `Kid's Korner' Reaches 200th Utility Web Sites; Interactive Web Content Boosts School Energy Education

Posted on: Thursday, 18 August 2005, 15:00 CDT

More than 200 electric and gas utilities now offer Apogee Interactive Inc.'s Kid's Korner energy education application on their Web sites -collectively bringing this critical energy efficiency, safety, and technology information to the fingertips of more than one million school children.

With gas and oil prices at record highs, new energy sources and energy efficiency are hot topics in the new school year. Kid's Korner brings energy education to life for students, schools and community groups through its more than 100 pages of interactive games, puzzles, experiments, activities, and animations. Topics include energy sources, energy conservation, power generation and energy delivery concepts, careers in energy, new energy sources like wind and fuel cells, and the history of the utility industry.

"More utilities are leveraging Internet technology to stretch limited energy education dollars," said Susan Gilbert, president of Apogee Interactive Inc. "Unlike printed materials, Kid's Korner provides immediate feedback to the utilities on usage. They can view online how many times the various activities are performed, how often the worksheets are downloaded, and what topics are most popular. This helps them better target their educational efforts."

First developed by Apogee in 1996, Kid's Korner is refreshed on an ongoing basis by tapping ideas generated by an active user group comprised of utility company employees responsible for community and school outreach programs. In addition, revisions and expansion of the site are also directed in part by a group of volunteer teacher advisors who test new activities and assure the materials help them meet state curriculum objectives.

Margaret Aderholdt, a teacher at Wellborn Elementary in Anniston, AL, directs the Kid's Korner Teacher Advisory Group. "My first task as the site's advisor was to perform an exhaustive search of what else is offered on the Internet," said Aderholdt. "I found that Kid's Korner is the most comprehensive, useful and fun site available. Now we're developing and testing new lesson plans and activity sheets for teachers to download, copy and let students use at computer workstations in the classroom or at home for extra credit."

Utilities, teachers and reporters are invited to learn more about Kids Korner during a Web demo on August 24, 2005 at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Visit www.apogee.net/events for details and registration.

About APOGEE Interactive, Inc.

Apogee Interactive Inc. (www.apogee.net) is a leading provider of online solutions for the energy industry. Founded in 1994, Apogee has developed a full suite of Web-based content and intelligent software tools that reach millions of electricity consumers daily. The company also provides eLearning systems, call center programs and load management platforms to utilities and their trade associations throughout North America and New Zealand.

Source: Business Wire

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