Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative –
August 22, 2012
Want your school to learn more about the energy industry? Dakota Valley can help!
Energy tours:
School districts wishing to tour the Antelope Valley coal-based generating plant, the Coteau Freedom coal mine and the Great Plains coal gasification plant, located near Beulah, N.D. can receive assistance from Dakota Valley.
The tours allow students a first-hand look at the generation of electricity from coal, a look at one of two gasification plants in the entire world, and a ride down into a coal mine. They visit a power plant and learn about the many job opportunities available in North Dakota’s energy industry. The tour provides insight into one of North Dakota’s most promising and brightest industries.
Scholarships:
This scholarship program recognizes and encourages the academic achievements of students in the region, serves as an investment in the economic future of rural areas.
Annually, each of the 135 electric cooperatives that make up Basin Electric Power Cooperative (including Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative) receives $1,000 from Basin Electric to award a scholarship to a qualifying dependent of a Dakota Valley Electric member, who will be enrolled as a college freshman for the 2012-2013 school year.
Applicants for the scholarship must be high school seniors enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time course of study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational/technical school.
Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on a combination of SAT/ACT scores and overall grade-point average, work experience, participation in school and community activities, a personal statement of career goals, a written recommendation by a third party and a written essay.
School lyceum: The Story Behind The Switch
Every three years, Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative and Basin Electric team up to provide area schools and Hutterite Colonies with a lyceum entitled “The Story Behind the Switch.” This program is offered to students in grades 4 through 6.
The lyceum emphasizes safety and respect for electricity. It also teaches students what electricity is, how it is generated and distributed, and the important role it plays in our lifestyles.
During the program, students are allowed to participate in electrical demonstrations such as the Van de Graff generator, which literally makes participants’ hair stand on end. This demonstration is a big hit with students and demonstrates how electricity travels on the outside of conductors.
Legislative field trips:
Recognizing that school budgets are often tight, and to help defray trip expenses, Dakota Valley Electric’s board of directors has approved a $100 donation to any high school in the cooperative’s service area that takes a group of students to the state Capitol to view North Dakota’s legislative process in action.