Wisconsin's K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) has named Wisconsin Energy Institute's Allison Bender as 2025 Energy Educator of the Year.

The award highlights a network of educators throughout the Badger State for empowering students, teachers, and community members to make informed choices for a sustainble future.

Bender, who joined WEI in 2019, serves as the outreach program manager. In that role, the award announcement said, she has "transformed energy education into a dynamic experience for thousands of students, educators, and community members."

Among Bender's accomplishments, KEEP cited the growth of the Wisconsin KidWind Challenge, a statewide competition that engages students in designing and testing small-scale wind turbines.

Under Bender's leadership, the event has expanded from five teams to 19, necessitating a move to the 40,000-square-foot Discovery Building. There, Allison added hands-on renewable energy exhibits that enrich the learning experience for students and their families alike.

“Allison is the type of person you want to work with when you have big ideas and want to accomplish something new and innovative.” said Dick Anderson, Wisconsin KidWind advisor.

Bender also coordinates and hosts student field trips to WEI, reaching thousands of K-12 students from across Wisconsin, and spearheaded WEI’s participation in UW Science Expeditions and Family Gardening Day, opening doors to science education for hundreds of community members.

“Allison has a keen ability to build partnerships that help expand the reach of energy education in Wisconsin,” said Scott Williams, WEI Research and Education Coordinator. “I am perpetually impressed by her ability to engage a wide variety of stakeholders in energy education and continuously build and improve outreach programming to ensure that all are included and have a high-quality learning experience.”

Bender was recognized along with Chippewa Falls High School science teacher Nick Gagnon at the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education's Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony on May 3 in Fitchburg. The award includes a $1,000 stipend to support ongoing education efforts.