POWERGRAMS

33 It's a new day in the special city of Safe-T-Opolis. When it became evident that COVID-19 would prevent outside groups from bringing elective educational programs into Alabama schools in 2020-21, Kim Savage and her team had to think of a way forward. Savage is Alabama Power's public safety program manager and oversees Safe-T- Opolis, the free, interactive program for fourth grade students that uses a tabletop miniature city charged with 11,000 volts to teach students how to stay safe around electricity. Safe-T-Opolis is endorsed by the Alabama Department of Education and normally taught by about 300 specially trained Alabama Power employees called Lifeliners. During the pandemic, about 100 Lifeliners have been conducting Safe-T-Opolis online. Time for Q&A with the students is always included. "We gave our Lifeliners the option to present the program virtually but did not require them to participate," Savage said. "So virtual programs are the only way we're presenting Safe-T-Opolis but we let Lifeliners opt in or opt out of virtual presentations. It's very different and we wanted to give them the space to try it out and ensure they felt comfortable with the format and the technology." Alabama Power continues offering Safe-T-Opolis to nearly 650 schools during the pandemic. "Teachers started asking for it in the summer," Savage said. "Even with everything going on, they still wanted to be able to offer the program to their students, so we knew we had to find a way to make it work. So far, it's going very well and the kids are loving it." Since most schools are using "Google Meet" to communicate with students online, Lifeliners conduct the virtual Safe-T-Opolis program in the same way. A video of the tabletop demonstration is shown first, followed by live interaction with a Lifeliner. "So far, our virtual STO programs have been getting very high marks," Savage said. "Teachers are very grateful we've continued to offer the program and the students love the new video game, called Power Play. Of course, they all still prefer in-person over virtual but given the circumstances, they understand why virtual is best right now and they're very appreciative." The Power Play video game is another new addition to the program. The game idea originated in a conversation between Savage, Risk Services Director Teresa Black and Senior Vice President and General Counsel Alexia Borden. Savage did some research and held focus groups with fourth graders who liked the concept. "I ran with that while Alexia and Teresa supported and cheered from the sidelines," Savage said, "but it wouldn't have happened at all if it weren't for them." With help from Southern Company, the video game was created by Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power employees as part of their public safety programs. Students can now navigate through unsafe virtual situations involving electricity in Power Play, which features minigames, puzzles, character customization and hidden features. "The safety and health of our employees and the communities we serve is our No. 1 value," said Tanya Beal, public safety specialist. "Making a shift to a virtual format was a logical solution so that we're still able to provide this important educational tool for teachers and students." The game was tested in person by fourth graders from Crestline (Mountain Brook), and virtually by students from Huntington Place (Northport) and Oxford elementary schools. Virtual meetings with the students and teachers provided feedback that was incorporated into the final product. "My students loved the program," said Theresa Jones, a fourth grade teacher at Huntington Place Elementary. "I thought it was super easy to navigate and very interactive. I didn't expect so many learning opportunities. Kids are growing up on video games now, and that's why it's such a great idea." Offering a video game component within an educational program is a first for the utility industry. Many Alabama Power employees remember learning about electrical safety as kids and are now signing up to teach Safe-T-Opolis. The program began in 1987. Customer Accounting Analyst and Lifeliner Carolyn Willingham recalls when her mother, Alabama Power retiree Debbie Therrell, came to Carolyn's school to teach her class about electrical safety. "I was so excited that my mom was coming to school that day," Willingham said. "She handed out Louie the Lightning Bug coloring books. I'll never forget 'Play it safe around electricity!' "Now both of my parents are Alabama Power retirees and I am approaching 11 years with the company," Willingham added. "I am truly honored to share the Safe-T-Opolis program with our local fourth graders because it teaches valuable safety information that they can learn in a fun and interactive environment." Engineer Samantha Whorton also remembers participating in electrical safety programs when she was younger. "I had so much fun learning important information about how to be safe around electricity. My goal being a Lifeliner is to provide that same experience," Whorton said. "When I present the Safe-T-Opolis program, I want the students to have fun, become more familiar with Alabama Power and, most importantly, learn how to always be safe around electricity. I know that this program can save lives and prevent injuries, and that is what motivates me." As public health safety precautions continue nationwide, a return to the more familiar and preferred style of Safe-T-Opolis demonstrations is up in the air. In December, Savage was still setting up virtual practice sessions for Lifeliners in hopes of increasing online participation. "We were hoping we could resume in-person programs in 2021, but it's looking more and more like we'll be sticking with virtual for a while," she said. "I'm not sure if that means the remainder of the '20-21 school year or just until the spring … it's anyone's guess at this point." Safe-T-OpOlis changes ZiP Miniature safety city fOr students MOves Online By Katherine Beshear EDUCATION

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