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State energy pathway · Montana

Start with the energy systems shaping Montana.

Montana carries large traditional energy reserves while also expanding its role in wind generation. That gives Montana students a state energy story shaped by both long-established extraction and newer renewable buildout.

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 Montana

Legacy Resource Base

Montana generates 57% of its electricity from renewable sources—primarily hydroelectric power and wind—while coal contributes 37%, down from more than half before 2017 as renewable capacity expanded. Montana is the nation's sixth-largest producer of hydroelectric power and holds the largest coal reserves of any U.S. state at 30 percent of the national total. Students who analyze Montana's generation mix learn how a fossil-fuel resource base and a renewable energy future operate alongside each other in the same state.

Growing Wind Potential

Wind turbines now operate alongside Montana's hydroelectric system, adding another renewable source to a grid where coal has historically dominated. The state's mountainous terrain and large geographic distances create both strong renewable energy potential and real challenges for transmission infrastructure. Students who study Montana's energy mix learn how geography, infrastructure investment, and resource availability combine to shape generation decisions in a state where both fossil fuels and renewables are genuinely present forces.

Latimer Energy Academy helps students in Montana model how multiple resource paths shape one grid so the state's energy decisions become something they can test and explain.

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 Montana

The Microgrid: Optimization & Resilience

Montana's legacy extraction heritage alongside growing wind development makes comparing traditional and renewable generation performance the most locally resonant design challenge.

Mission spotlight

Tradeoff Tuning

Students vary resource mix to see how Montana's legacy and renewable capacity balance out in a single grid scenario, making the state's dual energy path something they can test with evidence.

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 Montana.

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 Montana.

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