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.