DECATUR, Nov 26, 2011 (Herald & Review - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The Voltanator is ready to charge into Central Illinois classrooms and teach kids how to stay safe around electricity.
The computer game character is part of a package of online and printed materials called Kids Act On Energy available from Ameren Illinois. The package, which meets Illinois Learning Standards, is free and includes natural gas safety lessons. The utility said more than 125,000 students in its service area already are learning from it.
One Decatur teacher who plans to use the resources in her safety education is Madonna Taylor, who teaches third grade at Johns Hill Magnet School. The utility safety program is in its second year, and Taylor said it's structured well to appeal to children. She said some of the written materials are in the form of a comic book, while other activities, from online games to colorfully illustrated reading material, encourage student interaction.
"The format is really good," said Taylor, one of two teachers who will be using Kids Act On Energy at Johns Hill. "It explains things to children like how their body can conduct electricity and how, if you touch an electrical line, you could be fried; kids respond well to the lessons," Taylor added.
Ameren Illinois also is casting its education net wider than just safety with the related website KidsActOnEnergy.com, which includes calculating tools and tips to show how to use less power at home.
"KidsActOnEnergy.com can help children develop the knowledge needed not only to be safe around electricity and natural gas, but to use energy wisely in order to save money and become good stewards of the environment," said Stan Ogden, Ameren Illinois vice president of customer service. "These are lessons that will last a lifetime."
The utility, which encourages parents to access the online materials from home, also is hoping children will step in at the right moment and teach mom and dad about the importance of safety and energy conservation.
"Children embrace these things and remind their parents to be safe, too," said Leigh Morris, Ameren Illinois spokesman. "If you are a parent, you probably learned some of your most valuable life lessons from your children."
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