Washington, D.C. - Project Learning Tree's® (PLT), the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation, was awarded a 2002 Children's Music Web Award for its Bill Brennan (Billy B) music recording, Energy & Me. The recording won the award in Category 5- Best Educational Recording for Older Children.

The Billy B CD is a component of PLT's new educational program, Energy & Society, for PreK-8th grade students. The program features the Energy & Society kit, which includes an activity guide, poster set, music CD, and dance video. The materials provide activities to help youth learn about their relationship with energy and investigate the environmental issues related to energy's role in society. All activities are correlated to national education standards.

The Energy & Me music CD, part of the Energy & Society kit, was written and performed by well-known children's performing artist and songwriter Bill Brennan. "Billy B," as kids know him across the country, is an entertainer made famous by music that teaches children about science and the environment. The music CD features 15 high-energy songs that complement the kit of written materials, posters, and dance video. The video features Billy B and youth dancers performing a creative version of selected songs from the CD, and includes step-by-step dance instructions for students. Parents, teachers, and other educators have the flexibility of using the music CD and dance video to enhance the learning experience in a fun, hands-on way.

The Children's Music Web Awards are the world's first Internet-based music awards for children, and the only children's music awards truly decided by kids. The awards recognize quality entertainment for children worldwide. Applicants are scored quantitatively according to specific guidelines for quality, appropriate lyrics, arrangements, and other factors. Entrants do not compete against each other, but for the highest quality rating.

PLT independently developed the Energy & Society program under the guidance of an Energy & Society Advisory Committee comprised of environment, education, and energy professionals. Dozens of educators pilot tested the activities and materials with their students. Major support was provided through a grant from the American Petroleum Institute.

For more information about Energy & Society and Project Learning Tree visit www.plt.org.

Project Learning Tree® (PLT) is the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation. PLT uses the forest as a "window on the world" to increase student's understanding of our complex environment and to help students learn the skills they need to make sound choices about the environment. Developed in 1976, PLT has a network of more than 300,000 trained educators using six curricula covering the total environment. The American Forest Foundation, a nonprofit organization, works for healthy forests, quality environmental education, and to help people make informed decisions about our communities and our world.