"Hydrogen: The Power and the Potential" is a student curriculum initiative that envisions the use of a variety of energy alternatives - such as hydrogen - while understanding the importance of energy conservation.

Guided by teachers and presented by the FSEC, "Hydrogen: The Power and the Potential" will help students learn more about the world of alternative energy, said Bill Habermeyer, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida.

"Progress Energy is pleased to offer this opportunity to provide a framework for young people to see the potential of hydrogen and other forms of alternative energy," Habermeyer said. "This program will help educate the next generation about the exciting possibilities offered by these energy sources for our future."

Progress Energy will donate $49,000 to the FSEC to sponsor "Hydrogen: The Power and the Potential." FSEC, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research center in the country. The center will play a major role in shaping the curriculum for the program.

"The Florida Solar Energy Center is delighted to partner with Progress Energy and Florida public schools to develop this program," said Susan Schleith, FSEC education coordinator. "We will be lending our expertise and knowledge to shape the curriculum so students can step confidently forward into a future filled with exciting possibilities for new energy sources."

The program will initially involve the following eight schools:

     Nature Coast Technical High School - Brooksville
     Polk Avenue Elementary School - Lake Wales
     J.W. Mitchell High School - New Port Richey
     Lakewood High School - St. Petersburg
     Lake Howell High School - Winter Park
     Durance Elementary School - Orlando
     Tuscawilla Middle School - Oviedo
     Oak Ridge High School - Orlando
 

Teachers will attend a workshop Oct. 21-22 to review current curricula and other information available on hydrogen. They will create a plan for integrating hydrogen concepts into their existing teachings, covering subjects such as safety, storage, infrastructure, transportation, production and marketing. All materials will be aligned with the Sunshine State Standards and include activities which prepare students for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Testing (FCAT).

As they learn about hydrogen and alternative energy issues, students will also be asked to organize the Youth Energy Solutions (YES) Summit. Scheduled for spring 2006, the summit will bring together all of the educational partners and participants to discuss what they have learned in the preceding year and to share their vision for the future.

Educators who wish to learn more about "Hydrogen: The Power and the Potential" may contact John Masiello at Progress Energy Florida by phone at (407) 942-9304 or email at John.Masiello@pgnmail.com.

Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (PGN), provides electricity and related services to more than 1.5 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing over 20,000 square miles including the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. For more information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site at www.progress-energy.com.