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State energy pathway · Ohio

Start with the energy systems shaping Ohio.

Ohio's industrial sector consumes one-third of the state's total electricity, making efficient energy management a matter of local economic priority. From factories to processing plants, the demand for continuous, reliable power shapes how the state's grid operates. When students understand how electricity flows through industrial systems, they're learning to measure demand—the data Ohio's 2027 efficiency mandate will require. Ohio students can connect technical learning to the real energy systems powering the state's factories and major facilities. Understanding how electricity flows through these systems shows why energy efficiency skills are worth learning. In a state where industrial facilities drive the economy, that knowledge is currency.

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 Ohio

Industrial Power Systems

Ohio's manufacturing heritage still depends on large, continuous power supplies. Students who understand power reliability, how much electricity is needed, and energy efficiency learn the reasoning that keeps industrial systems running.

The State's Energy Efficiency Mandate

By end of 2027, Ohio utilities must reach a cumulative 22 percent reduction in retail electricity sales—a target built through years of required efficiency programs across schools, factories, and businesses. In 2025, the state also created a $40 million program specifically funding school energy efficiency and solar projects. Students who understand how to measure, audit, and improve electrical efficiency are directly equipped for the work their state is prioritizing.

Ohio's status as the nation's fourth-largest electricity consumer and its 2027 efficiency mandate make building-level measurement critical—at this scale, efficiency improvements require understanding how power flows through individual buildings. Through the Smart Meter project, students can learn to audit building-level energy use and produce recommendations that connect to actual efficiency challenges in their state. This is how technical curiosity becomes preparation for work that matters locally.

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 Ohio

The Smart Meter: Energy Investigation

Ohio's industrial sector consumes one-third of the state's total energy, and state law requires utilities to reach a cumulative 22 percent reduction in retail electricity sales by 2027. Through device-level measurement like the Smart Meter, students can learn the data-integrity habits that real building audits require—preparing them for the efficiency work their state is prioritizing. Because Ohio's economy depends on continuous industrial power and the state's grid depends on efficiency gains to meet its mandates, building-level measurement skills connect directly to work that matters in their community.

Mission spotlight

Data Integrity & Efficiency

In the 'Data Integrity & Efficiency' lesson, students examine their Smart Meter measurements to separate noise from clean data, creating a trustworthy dataset for their Power Plan. This habit of verification is exactly what Ohio's utilities and building managers need to meet the state's 2027 efficiency mandate—every efficiency recommendation must be backed by verified data. Through this lesson, students can experience firsthand why rigorous measurement is the foundation of real efficiency work.

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 Ohio.

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 Ohio.

Select your path below to see the approach designed for how you will use LEA in Ohio — 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