Afton Elementary School has been named the 2026 Pennsylvania School of the Year by the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project. This prestigious honor recognizes Afton’s commitment to energy education, conservation, environmental stewardship, and student leadership under the guidance of NMLSTA Immediate Past President Mrs. Kristin Slota and her colleagues Miss Emily Kopchinski and Mrs. Cherie Lynne Kooker.

A Year of Impactful Energy Education

Afton’s award-winning submission, “Afton’s Energy Journey,” showcased a year filled with hands-on learning, collaboration, and student leadership. Highlights included:

• Curriculum-Integrated STEM: Through Afton’s K–5 SPARK program, students explored important concepts such as energy sources, energy efficiency, conservation, and responsible waste management.
  
• The Young Environmentalist Program (YEP): Members of Afton’s after-school YEP program took an active leadership role in energy audits, school-wide recycling initiatives, and community outreach.
  
• Hands-On Environmental Stewardship: From caring for and cleaning up our school courtyard to participating in multiple litter cleanups, Afton students demonstrated what it means to be responsible and active environmental ambassadors.
  

View Afton's award-winning submission, “Afton’s Energy Journey,” here:
https://youthawards.need.org/winner/afton-elementarys-energy-journey/

Representing Pennsbury and the state of PA in Washington, D.C.

As a result of this recognition, nine Afton student leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., with their advisors to participate in the 46th Annual NEED Youth Energy Conference, held June 26–29, 2026.

During this four-day national event, students:

• Collaborated with students from across the country while participating in hands-on STEM and engineering challenges.
• Explored our nation’s history through educational tours of Washington, D.C., aboard the Old Town Trolley.
• Celebrated their accomplishments during a formal awards ceremony.
• Joined fellow students and educators for a commemorative dinner cruise on the Potomac River.
  

Thank you to PECO (Philadelphia Electric Company) for its generous $3,500 grant, which provided essential financial support and helped make this memorable educational experience possible for the student leaders.

A Partnership Supporting Students and Teachers

Through its programs, NEED provides teachers with curriculum resources, professional development opportunities, classroom materials, and access to funding that helps bring energy education to life for students. These resources can be accessed and used by teachers at all grade levels K-12 and also by individuals running after school programs and summer camps. Maybe your school will be named as a State or National-Level Winner in the future?

Teachers interested in learning more about NEED’s educational resources, free materials, and funding opportunities can visit:
https://www.need.org/educators/

The accomplishments of these students demonstrates what can happen when classroom learning extends beyond the walls of the school and students are empowered to become leaders in their community.

Rochelle L. Darville, Multicultural/Equity in Science Education Division Leader 
STEM Teacher, Iberville Elementary School, Plaquemine, Louisiana

Rochelle is also the NMLSTA Treasurer.

Congratulations!

/Rochelle%20L.%20Darville,%20Multicultural/Equity%20in%20Science%20Education%20Division%20Leader%20%20STEM%20Teacher,%20Iberville%20Elementary%20School,%20Plaquemine,%20Louisiana

Traci Schanewolf, a sixth grade science teacher in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania will participate in the Teacher Innovator Institute at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in summer 2026!

Congratulations Traci!

Read more:  https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/lehigh-county/bethlehem-area/one-of-the-greatest-honors-basd-6th-grade-science-teacher-to-participate-in-prestigious-program/article_78f81d39-c02e-45f5-8f6d-13765aec737c.html

Member Fatima De Leon Casco is a Broward County Teacher of the Year! 

Read more here:   https://www.browardschools.com/community/communityemployee-recognition-programs/caliber-awards/2026-teacher-of-the-year-finalists

Congratulations, Fatima!

Member Ida Smith has received the Calumet Cares STEM Grant.  Congratulations Ida!

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/benton-middle-school-teacher-ida-180856996.html

High Springs Community School teacher Barbara Brock has been named the Alachua County Teacher of the Year!

https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/education/barbara-brock-2026-alachua-county-teacher-year

Congratulations Barbara!

Congratulations to Barbara Rebeor, Science Department Chair and teacher at Harns Marsh Middle School, who will serve as a 2025–2026 Department of Defense (DoD) STEM Ambassador.  Rebeor is one of only 30 educators nationwide to receive this prestigious honor for the upcoming year.  Read more here:  https://www.leeschools.net/news/december_2025/2025_2026_dod_stem_ambassador

Maryland teacher honored!

https://thebaynet.com/two-mat-alumni-named-teacher-of-the-year/

Arizona eighth grade science teacher Jonathan Bailey selected!

https://kyma.com/education/yuma-education/2025/09/29/local-science-teacher-selected-to-attend-middle-school-research-teachers-conference-in-d-c/

Afton Elementary Named 2025 National Elementary School of the Year by the NEED Project

Pennsbury School District is proud to announce that Afton Elementary School has been named the 2025 National Elementary School of the Year by the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project! This prestigious honor also includes recognition as Pennsylvania’s Elementary School of the Year.

Earlier this spring, Mrs. Kristin Slota and her students submitted a comprehensive presentation to NEED, highlighting energy-focused work across K–5 SPARK (STEM) classes, the after-school Young Environmentalist Program (YEP), the 2025 K’NEX Design Challenge teams, and several district-wide energy initiatives. Check out this link to see the 2025 submission: https://youthawards.need.org/winner/afton-elementary-project-energy/

As a result of this outstanding achievement, students who participated in at least one YEP session or served on the HydroPower Company K’NEX Design Challenge Team during the 2024–2025 school year were invited to attend the 45th Annual NEED Youth Energy Conference and Awards, held June 27–30, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, Afton Elementary received a $4,000 grant to help offset travel and registration costs for eligible students and staff. Each participating student received funding support to attend this memorable event.

During their time in D.C., students:

• Sang energy-themed songs and participated in team-building challenges
  
  

• Traded state souvenirs with students from across the country
  
  

• Designed wind-powered vehicles in a STEM engineering challenge
  
  

• Enjoyed a guided trolley tour of national monuments
  
  

• Dined aboard a scenic Potomac River Cruise
  
  

• Attended a formal awards ceremony and received a private tour of the U.S. Capitol, coordinated through Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s office
  
  

The NEED Project is a national nonprofit supporting K–12 educators with free energy curriculum and resources. Visit www.need.org/educators to explore lesson plans, student projects, and upcoming workshops.

Think your school could be next?
Submissions for the 2026 NEED Youth Awards are due April 15, 2026. For more information or support, contact Mrs. Kristin Slota.

kslota@nmlsta.org

https://youthawards.need.org/about-the-need-youth-awards/