Roanoke, Va., June 10, 2010 – Middle school girls always have a lot of energy, but for a few days in June some of those kids will learn how to put their energy to good use. More than 20 girls and eight teachers from Appalachian Power’s Virginia service territory will learn about electricity and build bicycle-driven electric generators at the Hotel Roanoke.
 
Activating and Energizing Girls in Science Energy Bike Program is collaboration between the Ohio Energy Project (OEP) and the American Electric Power Foundation that aims to inspire middle school girls to become interested in science and engineering. The program has visited other AEP service area destinations in the past. This is its first year coming to Virginia.
 
This year three Virginia schools are participating: two teams from Sandusky Middle School in Lynchburg City, two teams from Northside Middle School in Roanoke County and one team from Shoemaker Elementary School in Scott County. Hosted by Appalachian Power at the Hotel Roanoke on June 15, 16, and 17, participants will spend three days building the Energy Bike that produces power by pedaling. Energy Bike activities allow students to transform their energy into electrical, light, heat and sound energy.
 
The students pedal to power items such as light bulbs, a radio, hair dryer, as well as, experience the way fuses, circuit breakers and capacitors function. Electrical safety, economics, and energy efficiency are the major themes presented.
 
In addition to building the Energy Bike, participants will also interact with female role models who are working professionals at Appalachian Power.
 
“This workshop will make it possible for these young women to explore science and technical careers with confidence and in conjunction with their teachers to bring inquiry-based learning into the classroom to enhance student achievement,” said Debby Yerkes, Executive Director of OEP.
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Appalachian Power provides electricity to 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.         
 
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            The American Electric Power Foundation is funded by American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and its utility operating units. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives involving higher dollar values and multi-year commitments in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area. The Foundation’s areas of focus include special emphasis on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education, protecting the environment, providing basic human services in the areas of hunger, housing, health and safety, and enriching life through art, music and cultural heritage.  The Foundation is based in Columbus, Ohio. 
 
EDITORS NOTE: A photo opportunity will be held Tuesday afternoon from 2-3 p.m., and again Wednesday morning from 9-10 a.m. Video footage and still photography can be taken of the electric bike projects as they near completion.  Students, teachers and others involved in the project also will be available for interviews.