Energy Education Ideas to Kick Off 2026
Switch Classroom’s January Newsletter
Happy New Year!
We’re kicking off 2026 with gratitude for all we built together last year, and excitement for what’s ahead. In 2025, you brought Switch Classroom to life in classrooms, labs, and PD sessions across the world, helping students explore how energy connects to their lives and the world around them.
This year, we’re excited to keep growing with new resources, new connections, and lots of hands-on learning. Whether you’re easing back into routines or trying something new, we hope these updates support you as you dive into a new year of energy learning.
What’s Inside This Month’s Update:
- Brand new resources for January
- Professional development this month: Unit 6 Intensive!
- Meet new TAC member, Carrie
- Utah Mini-Conference
- Colorado State University’s Energy Institute
- Smithsonian Teacher Opportunity
- 2025 Classroom Recap
Plus, if you’re returning to Switch Classroom for APES Unit 6, make sure you check out our teacher-first toolkit to see what’s changed!
Brand New Resources for January
- New Year Energy Task Cards: Real-world energy scenarios with spotlights on units, efficiency, and transformations.
- Recycling Waste Audit: A hands-on recycling audit that includes student-led solutions and reduced contamination.
- APES Unit 6 Guide: The 411 from a veteran APES teacher to help you confidently teach energy resources and consumption.
Looking for more no-prep activities?
You can always explore our full Resource Library for even more lessons on energy and the environment:
Professional Development This Month
APES Unit 6 Intensive
January 7th | 7PM CST
Unit 6 is here! Erika, Chris, and April (experienced APES educators, readers, and summer institute facilitators) share what’s worked in their classrooms.
Middle School Energy and Electricity
January 29th | 7PM PST
Open to any educator teaching energy, this session will explore ways to make energy concepts more accessible and engaging, regardless of grade level.
Meet Our New TAC Member: Carrie Antoniazzi
A unicorn living in one of the most beautiful places in the world, we’re excited to welcome Carrie Antoniazzi from Squamish, BC, to the Switch Classroom Teacher Advisory Council! Carrie is a passionate French immersion middle school science educator with a deep commitment to communication in education.
Utah Mini-Conference
If you’ll be at the UtSTA Recharge and Reset Mini-Conference in Washington, UT, on January 24th, come say hi to our TAC member, April, who will be representing Switch Classroom with two presentations and resources at the Share-A-Thon.
If you’re in Colorado (or know a student or colleague who is), check out Colorado State University’s Energy Institute. Their K-12 outreach program offers:
- A free mobile STEM classroom with hands-on energy learning labs
- Free tours and field trips to their Powerhouse Energy Campus
- Colorado’s Annual KidWind Challenge for grades 4-12
Not in Colorado? This is a great program to share with counselors and students interested in STEM and energy careers after graduation.
Teacher Opportunity: Smithsonian Innovator Institute
Spend two weeks in Washington, DC, with STEAM experts at the Smithsonian Teacher Innovator Institute. This free summer program is designed to connect informal STEAM education with authentic learning practices. STEAM educators in grades 5-8 should apply by January 23.
2025 Classroom Recap
We put together a visual reflection of how Switch Classroom grew in 2025. New team members, resources, conferences, webinars, and all the meaningful connections we made with educators like you.
We had an incredible 2025 because of educators like you.
Thanks for showing up, trying new things, sharing what works, and bringing your students into meaningful conversations about energy and systems thinking.
We’re excited to keep learning with you in 2026. Here’s to another year of curiosity, connection, and building a more energy-educated future, together.
— Your Friends at Switch Classroom
Stay connected with the latest updates, resources, and inspiring stories in the next edition of the Switch Classroom newsletter! If you know a colleague who might benefit from these resources, we’d love for you to pass them along.