As a part of our commitment to education, we dedicate about $500,000 in grant funds to the four school districts in our service area in support of water and energy curriculum and activities.  

Each year thousands of students in the following school districts benefit from programs funded through our education grants.

• Eugene School District 4J
• Springfield School District
• Bethel School District
• McKenzie School District

Formerly known as the EWEB Solar Challenge, this event challenges middle school students to use science, technology, engineering, art and math to design, build and race mini zero-emission cars.

Rebranded as the EWEB EV Challenge, the event allows students to explore the issues that surround solar energy as an energy source for transportation. The purpose of the project is to generate enthusiasm for science and improve students’ understanding of science concepts, particularly aerodynamics, design, transportation,  renewable energy concepts, engineering, gravity, and friction. The event grant of around $20,000 provided funding for classroom materials, training, challenge day materials and other costs.

In years past, the EWEB Greenpower program funded the annual Solar Car challenge, which includes participants from 4J, Bethel, Springfield, and McKenzie school districts. Since 2022, funding has been jointly provided by Greenpower and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Clean Fuel Credits.

Energy and water use is an important issue now and for future generations. Check out our curated collection of free activities and lessons,  designed to promote discussions on energy and water efficiency and to encourage students to practice smart energy and water decision making. 

Hands-on learning makes a difference. If you are a teacher in our service area who would like to arrange a tour of EWEB facilities for your students, please complete a request form. Whenever possible, please submit your request at least 30 days in advance.

Every fall wild Chinook salmon reach EWEB's Carmen-Smith spawning channel after a long journey from the ocean. A few hundred middle school students get the opportunity to witness the homecoming firsthand as a part of the Salmon Watch program.

During the field trip students rotate through four stations: fish biology, aquatic macroinvertebrates, water quality and riparian ecology. We are proud to support Salmon Stewards of Lane County and the McKenzie Watershed Council in bringing this educational opportunity to our community.