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BGE Hosts 45 Middle School Scholars from Higher Achievement, Baltimore and Provides Hands-On STEM Learning Opportunities at its Learning and Training Center
[July 25, 2014]

BGE Hosts 45 Middle School Scholars from Higher Achievement, Baltimore and Provides Hands-On STEM Learning Opportunities at its Learning and Training Center


BALTIMORE --(Business Wire)--

In support of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and to encourage and support youth in their quest of education and career opportunities based in STEM, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) teamed up with Higher Achievement, Baltimore today to provide hands on-learning opportunities. This week, BGE employees worked one-on-one with 45 middle school students in the Higher Achievement, Baltimore Summer Academy and provided students insight into the different types of career opportunities at BGE, while also teaching the students about natural gas and electric safety in a fun and creative learning environment.

BGE utility employees spend one-on-one time with scholars from the Higher Achievement, Baltimore Sum ...

BGE utility employees spend one-on-one time with scholars from the Higher Achievement, Baltimore Summer Academy, enhancing their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills by tackling hands-on electric and natural gas learning exercises. (Photo: Business Wire)

The BGE utility trainers and trainees spent one-on-one time with the students, guiding them through a series of hands-on learning stations, which included the building of an electric circuit, natural gas safety and leak detection, the use of mechanical skills to create fun items such as a hula hoop, the importance of using safety and personal protective equipment, damage prevention and electric safety demonstrations and awareness.

The Higher Achievement's Summer Academy is a rigorous program that aims to help limited-income youth develop strong academic behaviors and skills in middle school to prepare them for high school and beyond.

"In its second year, this annual event with BGE and Higher Achievement Baltimore is an important day for the students, as well as the BGE employee volunteers, who are able to build a rewarding mentor relationship together," said Daniel Gahagan, general counsel at BGE and Higher Achievement board member. "This day is a way of giving back to the community and helping students further their education. We hope to see these students staying engaged in learning and hopefully one day, some of them may be working at BGE."

"When I look at children, I can see how much potential they possess to be successful in education and in life, but what they lack is opportunity," said Erin-Hodge Williams, executive director of Higher Achievement. "At Higher Achievement we are focused on providing students with a safe place to go during the hours they are not in school and specifically after-school and throughout the summer. More importantly, we are able to provide them with a place where they get to experience things beyond their neighborhood and beyond their community and beyond their day-o-day studies in school. BGE is a great example of a company that is committed to their communities, and to the children in Higher Achievement, Baltimore. Today alone, I've watched our young students' eyes light up and ask questions that I can tell are making them think about their future."



Maurice Stovall, a returning student with Higher Achievement, might be one student returning to BGE in the future.

"What I liked and learned about BGE is that their employees have the hands-on skills to be first responders to families in getting their power back on, and that has to be a warm feeling," said Stovall. "I like working with my hands and today's activities were fun, sometimes hard, but I learned a lot about what it takes to be a BGE lineworker. I've also learned that life is not all fun and games. You have to get a good education and make something of your life because life is short. My time at Higher Achievement has given me maturity and helped me grow up, so that I can make something of my life."


Since its founding nearly 200 years ago, BGE has played an integral role in working with Maryland communities to address economic development, public safety, civic issues and other initiatives that help enhance our neighborhoods. Through the use of shareholder dollars, BGE supports programs that deliver measurable and sustainable impact in areas of energy efficiency and assistance, education, the environment, economic and community development, emergency response and safety.

BGE and its employees are committed to enhancing the quality of life for its customers and their families in communities the company serves throughout central Maryland. BGE regularly supports organizations and activities that promote educational outreach. BGE's corporate citizenship aligns with that of its parent company, Exelon Corporation. As part of Exelon's merger in March 2012, Exelon and its subsidiaries have committed to maintain charitable giving of an average of $7 million per year in Maryland, including BGE's service area for the next 10 years.

For more information on BGE's commitment to volunteerism and charitable giving visit bge.com/giving.

To view photos from the event, visit BGE's Flickr site at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mybge.

About Higher Achievement, Baltimore:

Higher Achievement's rigorous afterschool and summer academic program gives youth from at-risk communities their best opportunity to succeed in middle school - and in life. Higher Achievement Baltimore, the first expansion site outside of the Washington, DC region, launched in 2009. The organization serves more than 170 scholars and operates three achievement centers in Baltimore City, including Collington Square Elementary/Middle, Arundel Elementary/Middle, and Lakeland Elementary/Middle. These achievement centers serve as out-of-school time academic magnet programs and attract middle school youth from the host schools as well as from surrounding neighborhood schools. By leveraging the power of communities, Higher Achievement's proven model provides a vibrant, year-round learning environment, caring role models, and a culture of high expectations. For more information, please visit: www.higherachievement.org.

About BGE:

BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland's largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 655,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company's approximately 3,400 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's leading competitive energy provider, with 2013 revenues of approximately $24.9 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.


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