Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. has awarded eight grants to teachers in its service area recognizing their innovative strategies in energy education for grades K-12.

Twenty entries were submitted by teachers as part of PP&L's Curriculum Enrichment Project. Members of PP&L's School Energy Education Council judged each entry on the basis of its originality, achievability, interdisciplinary approach and relevancy to PP&L's energy-education efforts.

The Curriculum Enrichment Project, in its 10th year, provides grants of up to $500 for each classroom program. The grants awarded in 1997 total about $3,700.

"This project is another example of how a business-education partnership helps our education efforts," said Larry Sparta, PP&L's coordinator for energy education programs. "Energy might seem like a boring subject. But this program spurs innovative thinking related to the teaching of energy in our schools."

The following teachers received grants:

• Nancy Craft, G.A. Ferrell Elementary School, East Lycoming School District.
  Elementary students in grades 5-6 will study how solar energy can be used to create a favorable environment to grow plant seedlings. The students will grow annuals and perennials that attract butterflies to school grounds.
  
• G. Scott Ramsey, Letort Elementary School, Carlisle School District.
  The project will explore the role of solar energy in our lives. Primary grade level students will use solar energy kits to understand how energy is used in food preparation and transportation.
• Frank J. Nardone, Luzerne County Intermediate Unit, Kingston.
  Middle school students will examine traditional and nontraditional career choices in the electric utility industry. Math and science careers for women will be a special focus.
• Elizabeth Shoemaker, Franconia Elementary School, Souderton Area School District.
  Fifth-grade students will build a solar-powered vehicle in order to understand alternate energy sources. The students will construct, race and evaluate their solar-powered cars.
• Jeffrey Weatherhold, Parkland High School, Parkland School District.
  High school seniors will conduct computer research in the areas of work, energy and motion to predict the landing spot of an arrow shot from a bow. Students will test their research theories and give presentations on their research projects to demonstrate the physics concepts in the project.
• Sheree Knerr, The Swain School, Allentown.
  Kindergarten students will work in teams to plan and build miniature greenhouses to study the sun's effect on plant growth. Students will use logical thinking skills, will become familiar with scientific equipment and will acquire skills in charting, graphing and forming conclusions.
• Elaine H. Ruttle, Fogelsville Elementary School, Parkland School District.
  Fifth-grade students will learn about the flow of energy in the ecosystem and the power of photosynthesis. Students will create a garden for native bird species, research the habitats of birds and develop individual portfolios about birds, plants and energy.
• Joan M. Smith, Western Wayne High School, Western Wayne School District.
  Twelfth-grade students will research all aspects of robots, including the principles of sensing and locomotion electric circuits, and use of robots. Students will present oral reports and construct simple robots. Students will suggest how the robots can be used in the workplace and our daily lives.