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State energy pathway · Indiana

Start with the energy systems shaping Indiana.

Indiana's steel mills and factories depend on 43% of the state's electricity, a supply that shifted from coal to natural gas in one decade. Indiana's energy system has transformed from coal dependence to diversified generation powered by natural gas and renewables. Students who understand this transition can build careers in utilities, manufacturing, and the companies reimagining how Indiana powers itself.

Energy data is from the EIA State Energy Data System, EIA State Electricity Profiles, NCSL State Energy Legislation Database, and state economic development offices.

See why energy matters hereJump to the matched course

Why Energy Matters in Indiana

Industrial Transition

Indiana's electricity grid shifted: coal fell from 85% to 42% of generation in ten years, while natural gas and wind rose sharply. About 5,000 megawatts of coal-fired capacity have shut down since 2014; another 3,900 megawatts are scheduled to retire by 2028. Students who measure consumption, understand grid operations, and analyze efficiency become the technicians and engineers Indiana's industrial sector needs — in steel mills, RV factories, and the facilities powering the transition.

When Local Power Falls Short

Coal-powered generation in Indiana dropped from 85% to 42% in a decade—forcing the state to import 13% of its electricity from neighboring states. Today, factories consume 43% of all state electricity, and students who analyze electricity consumption data understand how utilities and engineers are retooling Indiana's power supply.

As coal plants shut down across Indiana, the state's grid shifts to new sources. Someone has to measure whether buildings and factories use power efficiently. Smart Meter students become those people: they build measurement tools, audit device energy use, and recommend changes that matter in Indiana's industrial economy.

Energy data is from the EIA State Energy Data System, EIA State Electricity Profiles, NCSL State Energy Legislation Database, and state economic development offices.

Start here for Indiana

The Smart Meter: Energy Investigation

Indiana's industrial sector consumes 43% of the state's electricity — the 6th-highest industrial electricity share in the US. The Smart Meter project teaches the measurement skills that sector relies on: students gather data, convert energy to cost, and produce recommendations — the same tools engineers use to optimize factories and power systems.

Mission spotlight

Coding the Smart Meter

Indiana ranks 6th nationally in industrial electricity consumption, with steel mills and RV factories accounting for 43% of all electricity the state uses. In "Coding the Smart Meter," students learn the measurement language industrial engineers use daily: they code a micro:bit to calculate watts, watt-hours, and electricity costs from raw sensor readings.

Included in LEA curriculum

Pilot proof

Students enjoy the work because it feels real.

In January 2026, 39 fourth-grade students in Indianapolis completed every lesson from start to finish — coding real pocket computers (microcontrollers), collecting live energy readings, and presenting findings to an audience.

4.6/5

Student enjoyment

72% of students gave it a 5-star rating

100%

Reported learning something new

Every student who took the survey said they learned something new

39

Students completed the entire course

Every student finished all five lessons, coded a pocket computer (microcontroller), and presented findings

Available to book today

Book the support that fits Indiana.

Whether you want to get LEA into the hands of students this semester, plan for a pilot next year, or just learn more about the state-specific approach, you can book a session with our team to get the support you need.

School or district consultation

Review the state-specific entry point, pilot scope, and what implementation would look like for your classrooms.

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Founder-led instruction session

Bring Dr. Naeem Turner-Bandele in to teach a project and show what high-quality facilitation looks like with students.

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Family or community guidance

Get help choosing the right starting point for home learning, after-school use, or a community organization rollout.

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Utility or business partnership call

Discuss local workforce relevance, territory fit, and how we can collaborate to support energy education in your community.

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Find your path

Choose your next step based on how you want to use LEA in Indiana.

Select your path below to see the approach designed for how you will use LEA in Indiana — whether you run a classroom, lead a school, or support a student at home.

Find the right starting point

Schools

Curriculum and professional development for your district

Teachers

Lesson plans and resources for your classroom

Parents

Learn alongside your child with guided family activities

Community

Hands-on energy programs for clubs and community groups

Utilities

STEM outreach and workforce pipeline programs

Businesses

Partner with Latimer Energy Academy to build the energy and technology workforce