VEC’s Speakers Bureau includes a group of talented and enthusiastic employees who welcome the opportunity to meet with schools and civic organizations to provide an exciting and successful learning experience about the electric utility industry. The Speakers Bureau provides information with an age-appropriate focus on anything from energy 101, electrical safety and real life experiences to discussions on Vermont’s energy future and the development and implementation of Smart Grid technology.

If your school or civic organization is interested in having a speaker on any facet of VEC’s operations, programs, or services please contact us at 1-800-832-2667.

Eden 4^th Graders Visit VEC

VEC hosted 18 fourth graders from Eden Elementary School on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 to conclude the students’ unit on electricity. Each year, VEC’s Speakers Bureau typically receives an invitation to visit the school to speak to Mrs. McNally’s and Ms. Elliot’s class on electrical safety, circuits and conductors. This year was exceptional as the fourth graders were able to take a field trip to our headquarters at VEC.

First class line-worker, Shawn Holbrook, and construction group leader, Michael Hemond, orchestrated a first class tour and educational opportunity for these fourth graders. Bucket truck and safety demonstrations were first on the agenda and always prove to be a favorite for the kids. Shawn showed students the personal protective equipment that line-workers use in the daily tasks and then demonstrated the safe operation of the bucket truck. Shawn and Mike fielded several questions from the inquisitive students. Next, students visited the VEC’s control center which is the hub of the operation. Here system operators monitor VEC’s substations and distribution and transmission lines. They are usually the first to know about an outage and respond quickly to notify field personnel in order to get the power restored.

The field trip concluded with electricity 101 safety demonstrations using the Hazard Hamlet safety display. This is an interactive energized display that demonstrates what happens when equipment like backhoes, cars and kites come in contact with live energized wires. Students also had the opportunity to view footage of the Osprey Project video which showed VEC line-workers working with the VT Department of Fish and Wildlife to install a nesting platform at Fairfield Swamp to prevent the birds from nesting on top of utility poles.

VEC employees had a fun-filled morning teaching these eager students. We look forward to hosting another field trip for more young learners in the very near future. If you are interested in scheduling the VEC Speakers Bureau, please contact the communications department at 1-800-832-2667.