Jul

19

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : July 19, 2010

For 27 years Basin Electric Power Cooperative has been teaching children in their nine-state service area about electrical safety through an engaging presentation called “The Story Behind the Switch”.

Tracy Fugere of Basin Electric and students

Tracy Fugere of Basin Electric demonstrating a Van de Graaf Generator to students. Photo Courtesty Tracy Fugere of Basin Electric.

For the past two years, Tracy Fugere of Basin Electric has taken “The Story Behind the Switch” to students in a different school every week of the school year.  So far, the presentation has been delivered to more than 300,000  4th, 5th and 6th grade students in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Basin Electric’s Message to Students

The hour long presentation, “The Story Behind The Switch”, teaches children the basics about electricity.  Children learn the differences between natural electricity and man-made electricity, in addition to the different ways used to produce electricity.

The electrical safety portion of the presentation teaches children how to react to potentially dangerous situations involving electricity.  Some of the topics covered include:

  • awareness of underground powerlines,
  • kite flying near electrical lines, and
  • what to do if a power line is lying on the ground.

Tracy also performs several demonstrations during the presentation, as illustrated in the photo above where Tracy is seen sharing a Van de Graaf generator with students.  Other devices demonstrated in the presentation include hand generators, plasma balls, tesla coils and more.

About Tracy Fugere

Tracy Fugere of Basin Electric

Tracy Fugere, Courtesy of Tracy Fugere.

Tracy Fugere graduated with a degree in Mass Communications and Speech Communications from NDSU, but has always dreamed of being a teacher.  Tracy was delighted when Basin Electric offered her the opportunity to take the presentation “The Story Behind the Switch” to students in schools throughout Basin Electric’s service area.  She documents her travels on her blog, Tracy on the Road.

Teachers interested in having Tracy Fugere come to their schools to present “The Story Behind the Switch” to their students should contact their local rural electric cooperative and request that she visit their service territory.  The program is offered free of charge for Basin Electric member systems.

Community Building with The Bucket Truck Blogger

The Bucket Truck Blogger celebrates businesses that are actively contributing to the embetterment of their communities.  Last week, The Bucket Truck Blogger introduced readers to Southwest Equipment for it’s sponsorship of the Highland Village All Stars.

Interested in seeing your company in the electric utility, foresty or other related industry featured here for the good things its doing for your community?  Contact Sam Page with the details.

Jul

13

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : July 13, 2010

Building up our communities doesn’t end with laying the bricks and mortar of our homes and businesses.  Though these buildings comprise the physical structure of our communities, the buildings themselves are not the heart and soul of our communities.

Businesses can help improve their local communities by making contributions of time, goods and monies to support organizations that provide youth with positive role models, advanced educational opportunities, and that promote team building.  The Bucket Truck Blogger is interested in hearing stories of how your business is contributing to the improvement of youth in your community.

Send your submissions of 300 to 500 words to Sam Page, along with a statement granting The Bucket Truck Blogger rights to publish your submission on our blog.  Authors are welcome to include a brief tag line with a link back to their business or blog.  Due to the demographic of our readership, The Bucket Truck Blogger gives strong preference to submissions from businesses with connections to the telecommunications, electric utility and forestry industries.

Southwest Equipment Sponsor the Highland Village All Stars

Southwest Equipment of Lewisville, TX is contributing to their local community by supporting the Highland Village All Stars, a Highland Village Area Baseball & Softball Association (HVABSA) team.

Highland Village Little League Baseball Team

The Highland Village All Stars, Proudly Sponsored by Southwest Equipment

Through contributions from individuals and local businesses like Southwest Equipment, organizations like the HVABSA are helping to enrich the lives of children in the local community.  A few ways the children are experiencing benefits as a result of the efforts of the HVABSA include:

  • Positive Adult Role Models. Regardless of the family situation at home, the old adage “it takes a village to raise a child” holds true.  The adults contributing their time and energy into making the HVABSA possible are demonstrating to these children the virtues of good sportsmanship and team work, lessons these children will undoubtably benefit from for the rest of their lives.
  • Healthier Lifestyles. Between the bulk of their day being spent sitting in a classroom and the temptation to indulge in too much television and video gaming during their off hours, children today need a motivator to get outside with their friends and get some exercise.  Organizations like the HVABSA are encouraging kids to do just that by providing them with an athletic outlet that is engaging, competitive, and satisfies the child’s craving for social interaction with his peers.
  • Increased Self Esteem. Kids need to feel like they ‘fit in’ to a group of their peers.  Organizations like the HVABSA satisfy that need in a positive way.  Children who feel good about themselves are likely less vulnerable to peer pressure when faced with choices about gangs, drugs and alcohol.

Now, it’s your turn, readers.  Tell the Bucket Truck Blogger what your company is doing to make a positive difference in your local community.

About Southwest Equipment

Southwest Equipment of Lewisville, TX sells reconditioned bucket trucks, digger derricks, boom trucks and pressure diggers.  Bucket trucks and other utility trucks purchased from Southwest Equipment undergo an extensive inspection and reconditioning process before being made available for resale in their inventory.  Southwest Equipment is so certain of the quality of their reconditioned bucket trucks and other utility trucks that practically every truck in the inventory comes with a 2 year warranty.