Champaign, IL. - Republican Party's Presidential nominee George W. Bush is headed from Philadelphia to the Midwest. On his stop in Illinois, he can find solutions to "renew the promise of America's schools." Bush should look for innovative approaches to student learning at Oak Forest High School and Streamwood High School, two of 125 Illinois schools that have had success with the EnergyNet project.

At Oak Forest High School, students and teachers in several disciplines work together to design cars of the future. The physics and technology students look for solutions to make the "Energy Research Vehicle" run. The plant science students grow soybeans for the car's fuel. The chemistry students create the fuel using the soybeans while other classes work on grant writing, publish a newspaper and develop community support for the project. Teacher Joe Lindbloom who leads the project says students are motivated to learn, involved in the community and applying their knowledge to the real world. To Joe Lindbloom, this type of teaching is where education should be headed.

At Streamwood High School, students gave up their first Saturday of Spring Break to find ways for a local nursing home to save money on energy. Teacher Greg Reiva used the experience as an opportunity for his students to apply their knowledge from the classroom. "All of the students went right to work and acted as professionals. In fact, students were so involved in the audit, the only questions I received were valid technical questions," said Reiva.

Lindbloom and Reiva credit the EnergyNet project, created and managed by Educational Dividends of Champaign, Illinois, for showing them how the facilitative learning model can impact their students and classroom environment. EnergyNet is a project that integrates technology, standards-based learning and workplace skills by having students work to answer a real-world question: How can I responsibly reduce the costs of energy in my school? Students in 3rd through 12th grades are motivated by EnergyNet's challenging project-based curriculum that allows them to apply their knowledge across disciplines.

George W. Bush has called for higher expectations and improved learning for all students. EnergyNet addresses those issues because it is relevant and challenging for students and motivates them to take charge of their learning. It also gives teachers a new approach in the classroom that allows all levels of learners opportunities to succeed. EnergyNet incorporates the Community Partnership Initiative (CPI) that builds strong partnerships for schools empowering all of education's stakeholders to lead their schools to success. More information on EnergyNet can be found at the website: http://www.energynet.net/. EnergyNet Project Director, Ms. Carol Timms is available for interviews by calling toll free 877-359-3638.

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