GRANTS, N.M. –Do you know how fast electricity travels? Do you know what steps to take if your vehicle encounters an electric line? Have you ever wondered why birds aren’t electrocuted when perched on power lines?
The answers to these questions and more are revealed in “The Story Behind the Switch,” Continental Divide’s 90-minute youth safety presentation. Through interactive demonstrations, students of all ages learn how electricity works and how to stay safe around it.
“We want the futures of our service-area youth to be as bright as the lights powered by the flip of a switch,” said Will Yarborough, Continental Divide’s member services representative.
This past spring, the coop took its presentation to the next level with the inclusion of “Power Town.” This high voltage diorama of a typical residential neighborhood showcases various contact hazards associated with overhead and underground electric distribution lines. The model uses miniature buildings, vehicles, and figurines to create dramatic arcs of electricity when objects come into contact with the power lines and transformers.
“Students hear the sizzles and pops that accompany the bright light of energy traveling through the air, demonstrating the power of electricity and the importance of staying safely away from it,” Yarborough said.
Other hands-on demonstrations include a Van de Graaff (static electricity) generator and a plasma ball. Students also learn about the characteristics of electricity and the safety gear line workers wear to work on our power lines. A tour of Continental Divide’s headquarters facility and heavy equipment complete the 90minute experience.
In May, Mount Taylor Elementary School’s second- and fifth-grade classes experienced our enhanced educational program. “The second-grade class just finished a unit learning about electricity and the kind of jobs in the community students could have in the future. The field trip worked well as a post-learning experience,” Mount Taylor Principal Amanda Valdez said.
To learn more about The Story Behind the Switch, visit our website at cdec.coop/classroom. The presentation is available to all schools and youth groups in Continental Divide’s service territory. To schedule a field trip, call the co-op’s Yarborough at (505) 2856656 or email wyarborough@ cdec.coop