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State energy pathway · Idaho

Start with the energy systems shaping Idaho.

Hydroelectric power supplies 44% of Idaho's electricity, and Idaho National Laboratory conducts major nuclear energy research within the state. That gives Idaho students a state-level energy story built on both established renewable generation and next-generation research.

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 Idaho

Hydro Backbone

Water power accounts for 44% of Idaho's electricity — the state's predominant energy source. That power flows from the Snake River's dams, including the Brownlee plant. When students understand that water-to-power connection, they see how Idaho's geography determines what the state can generate for electricity.

Advanced Nuclear Research

Idaho National Laboratory is a major research facility in the state where scientists study nuclear technology. The Governor's Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force (2025) and state legislature (2026) have expanded support for that research. Students who study Idaho's grid learn how established systems like hydropower connect to research directions like nuclear technology work.

Latimer Energy Academy helps Idaho students test different combinations of the state's electricity sources—hydropower (44%), natural gas (31%), wind (15%), and solar (7%)—examine tradeoffs, and defend their grid design, connecting Idaho's real energy decisions to hands-on engineering.

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 Idaho

The Microgrid: Optimization & Resilience

Idaho's electricity comes from multiple sources — hydropower (44%), natural gas (31%), wind (15%), and solar (7%). This multi-source reality makes scenario comparison instructive: students test different combinations of these actual sources under the same constraints, seeing why each one matters to the state's grid.

Mission spotlight

Scenario Building

Students design and compare scenarios combining hydroelectric, wind, and solar power under the same constraints — testing Idaho's actual multi-source grid rather than only describing it. They test different grid mixes in simulation, discovering how assumptions shape outcomes and comparing multiple possible designs.

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 Idaho.

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.

Book this path

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 Idaho.

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