A+ for Energy Program Completion

BP America is proud to have sponsored and successfully completed the A+ for Energy program, which has awarded over $16 million in grants and scholarships to teachers in U.S. schools for bringing energy-themed projects to the classroom. The 2009 grant and final cycle of the program was completed with the exciting award of 253 grants nationwide. As our program comes to its completion, there will be no new grants solicited or awarded after October 1, 2009.

Up to date, the program has successfully provided teachers with tools and resources to teach students about energy education. The outreach and results obtained were beyond BP’s expectations when the program initially started. Several important milestones were achieved and challenging and interesting projects applied for grants throughout the years.

Since its inception in 2004, over 200,000 students and teachers in public and private schools have benefited from the A+ for Energy program. Participating locations have included Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas.

We value our partnership with the education community and will continue to pursue innovative ways to encourage students to learn more about math, science, energy and technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is BP America discontinuing the A+ for Energy program?

The A+ for Energy program has been in existence for six years, successfully providing teachers with tools and resources to improve energy education, and all of its initial goals have been met and completed. BP will continue to work with educators in communities where BP operates to align initiatives with our business objectives and the needs of the community. We also look forward to engaging BP employees in these efforts.

Is there any impact to the A+ for Energy program in Canada?

No. BP Canada will continue to offer the A+ for Energy program to K-12 teachers in Alberta. Those interested in the Canada program should visit www.aplusforenergy.ca. Educators based in the U.S. are not eligible to participate in the Canada program.

What kind of support will be available for 2009 winners?

Charitable Management Systems (CMS), the A+ for Energy program administrator, will continue to support U.S. winners throughout the 2009-2010 implementation year. If there are any changes in the Lead Teacher for a winning project, contact information, budget, employer, project activities or timeline, please notify CMS. The Lead Teacher is required to submit a final report in June 2010, in accordance with the grant acceptance agreement.

How long will the A+ for Energy website (www.aplusforenergy.org) remain active?

The A+ for Energy website will remain active through March 31, 2010, although the online application system is no longer available. The info@aplusforenergy.org email account will be monitored through October 2009. Visitors will receive an automated reply redirecting them to CMS. Canadian applicants will be redirected to www.aplusforenergy.ca.

Can I access a copy of my 2009 application or notification letter?

Yes, but only for a limited time. Please log into the A+ for Energy site using your user i.d. and password to print or save any files for your records. No access will be allowed after March 31, 2010.

Are there any plans to bring the program back in the future or replace it with another grant program?

There are currently no plans to renew the A+ for Energy program in the U.S. BP continually evaluates its community investment programs and we are proud to have various other initiatives in place that demonstrate our commitment to enriching communities and supporting children’s education.

What is BP doing to continue encouraging energy education in the classroom?

Through the A+ for Energy program, BP has made significant investments to enhance the curriculum and resources offered by the National Energy Education Development project (NEED) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). These organizations have the expertise needed to continue to develop teachers’ skills on a broader scale.

Additionally, BP has enhanced the energy education resources on www.bp.com. A new Energy Lab game is available on the website, plus interactive videos on alternative energy sources and other fun activities for teachers and students.

Who should I contact for additional information?

Please note that neither CMS nor BP accepts unsolicited proposals for project funding. Past winners may contact CMS directly with questions concerning their grant awards:

Charitable Management Systems

700 W. 5th Avenue

Naperville, IL 60563-2948

Phone:  (630) 428-2412

Fax:  (630) 428-2695

Email: kmcockream@totalcms.com