Teaching children about energy conservation and the best way to stay safe around electricity and natural gas is a lot easier, thanks to the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD) and the e-SMARTkids free online program.
Accessed through the WMGLD website www.wmgld.com, the e-SMARTkids teaches these lessons in a fun and creative way using games, videos, activities and online resources. The program is sponsored by the WMGLD and is designed for kids, parents and teachers through the WMGLD’s participation in the Municipal Electric Association of Massachusetts (MEAM).
The kid’s tab on the e-SMARTkids site includes websites like Energy Efficiency World, Electrical Safety World, and Natural Gas Safety World, all of which include games, facts, experiments and stories. The video section includes seven different episodes of Electricity and Natural Gas Safety World, including how electricity gets to homes and what to do if you see a downed power line or smell natural gas.
Parents can also participate in their child’s learning by accessing information about energy efficiency and conducting their own safety inspections at home.
Teachers can also help their students learn to use energy safely and responsibly on the site, which gives teachers additional resources, curriculum-based games and videos. Teachers can also download video guides and can provide feedback about the site.