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State energy pathway · Illinois

Start with the energy systems shaping Illinois.

Nuclear plants, wind farms, and an established data-center base all compete inside Illinois's complex grid story Illinois generates more nuclear electricity than any other state and exports about 20% of its power to neighboring states—creating supply and balancing challenges that make 'the grid' concrete and teachable. Understanding how that scale of generation works turns a remote concept into a visible technical problem.

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 Illinois

Nuclear-Powered Grid

Illinois generates 53% of its electricity from nuclear power—more than any other state. Wind power, which ranks #5 nationally and provides 13% of Illinois's generation, varies with the weather. Students who understand that mix learn how power systems balance steady sources with variable ones.

Midwest Industrial Power Hub

Illinois has four major oil refineries processing about 1.1 million barrels of oil per day—the nation's 4th-largest refining capacity. That volume requires constant electricity supply for pumps, heating, and processing—a visible industrial demand on the grid. Students who understand energy infrastructure, efficiency, and power systems can connect technical learning to the real industrial systems that define Illinois's landscape.

In Illinois, nuclear plants generate more than half the state's electricity, while wind turbines add another 13%. This diverse supply powers local demand and exports to neighboring states. The Microgrid project teaches students to simulate, price, and debate what keeps that system reliable.

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 Illinois

The Microgrid: Optimization & Resilience

Illinois generates 53% of its electricity from nuclear power—the highest share of any state—while ranking #5 nationally in wind generation. This dual supply creates real balancing and pricing challenges students simulate in the Microgrid project's Rate Case Debate, connecting technical design to public decisions about costs and reliability.

Mission spotlight

What Does Power Cost?

Illinois generates 53% of its electricity from nuclear plants and exports one-fifth of its power to neighboring states. In the "What Does Power Cost?" lesson, students build a rate model to understand how generation costs, transmission, and maintenance shape the electric bill communities actually pay.

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 Illinois.

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 Illinois.

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