The Energy & Geoscience Institute announces Dr. Kristie McLin as Director of Research and Science and new Principal Investigator of the Utah FORGE project, succeeding Dr. Joseph Moore.
Bring Geothermal Science to Life
Utah FORGE Lesson Plan Contest
Best Lesson Takes Home $500
Utah FORGE invites Utah teachers to create an original, hands-on lesson plan that explores geothermal energy and connects to Utah SEEd standards. Build a classroom-ready activity that sparks curiosity, makes learning memorable, and could earn you a $500 gift card to bring your lesson to life.
Fill out the form below to let us know you’re interested in entering. Once you’ve submitted your intent to compete, you can start planning your lesson and preparing your outline using the guidelines on this page.
Contest Snapshot
Rules and Requirements
- Submit the “Intent to Compete” form (below) by February 28, 2026.
- Lesson outlines must be submitted by March 31, 2026.
- Utah FORGE will provide feedback on your outline by April 30, 2026.
- Lesson plans must be your own original work.
- All submitted lesson plans will be the domain of Utah FORGE and freely available on utahforge.com.
- The $500 gift card must be used to execute the submitted lesson plan; any remaining funds must be used on other educational supplies.
- The winner will be interviewed and featured on utahforge.com.
LESSON PLANS MUST INCLUDE
- Introduction including the lesson title, your name, and target grade level.
- Geothermal key terms being discussed, with corresponding list of Utah SEEd standards that would be fulfilled by the lesson.
- Essential question[s] and summary of the lesson.
- Presentation with accompanying slides/visual aides, with a written description of the content.
- Hands-on activity for student participation that reinforces lesson concepts; must include listed materials with approximate costs, and step-by-step instructions for educators and students
Deadlines
- Intent to compete form – Feburary 28, 2026
- Lesson outline – March 31, 2026
- Lesson plan & hands-on activity – August 31, 2025
- Winner Announcement – September 2026
- Class Visit – TBD