(Photo: WVU Extension's Zack Harold is host of the 2022 Energy Express television program on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. In the first episode (June 20), Zack plays a fun rendition of Take Me Home, Country Roads.)
West Virginia University Extension is kicking off the third season of Energy Express on West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) this month. This series features fun, interactive programming for children and families throughout the state, including art, science, technology, engineering and math; healthy recipes; physical activity; and more. The series begins June 20 with a special celebration of West Virginia featuring state history, as well as native animals, insects, songs and reptiles. In addition to the special episode on West Virginia, the summer series will feature segments on outer space, WVU therapy dogs, bears, tips on making friends, and more. The 30-minute episodes will air Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. and run six weeks through the summer.
Each summer, WVU Extension offers various activities for West Virginia youth, including camps and programs through 4-H, as well as Energy Express – a six-week reading program that pairs children with caring AmeriCorps members and other volunteers. The individuals work with the children to improve reading and comprehension using books, journals, art, STEM, games and other activities. The television series incorporates elements of the outstanding activities and education offered through both of these youth development programs.
“Bringing educational programming to West Virginia families is one of the things we do best,” WVU Dean of Extension and Engagement Jorge Atiles said. “Through this partnership with West Virginia Public Broadcasting, we are able to reach more West Virginians and provide important information that is not only fun, but programming that is engaging for people of all ages, especially children in our communities.”
The series, which is hosted by WVU Extension’s very own Zack Harold, began during the pandemic to bring important summer programming to homes in West Virginia, as well as online. The series has grown during the past three years to bring hands-on activities and education to even more viewers around the state.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with the West Virginia University Extension, and we are happy to be broadcasting Energy Express for a third consecutive year,’’ Butch Antolini, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director for WVPB said. “This is a great summer program and resource for our state’s children and families.’’
WVPB is available on many cable systems throughout the Mountain State as well as over the air. Viewers can watch the weekly series, as well as the past two seasons of Energy Express on WVPB, online via the WVU Extension channel on YouTube. For more information about WVU Extension, visit extension.wvu.edu or contact Tara Curtis, WVU Extension Service, at 304-293-7996 or tara.curtis@mail.wvu.edu. For more information about the broadcast of the program, contact Kristi Morey, West Virginia Public Broadcasting at 304-556-4911 or kmorey@wvpublic.org.
To learn more about WVU Extension programs, visit extension.wvu.edu, or contact your local WVU Extension office. Keep up with the latest in WVU Extension news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @WVUExtension.
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tec/06/13/22
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