Central Electric Power Cooperative's "Energy in Today's Classroom" received the Spotlight on Communications Silver Award for Best Event at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's (NRECA) 2018 'CONNECT' Conference, held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The NRECA Spotlight on Communications Awards recognize outstanding communications and education programs across the rural electric cooperative network. 

The "Energy in Today's Classroom" program was developed in conjunction with the University of Missouri - Columbia (ASM 7370) and has been in existence for over five years. The program is a two-day graduate level course offered through the University of Missouri - Columbia. Designed to fully support Missouri's statewide educational standards, the course provides teachers with a background in energy and energy production.  The course is taught at the University of Missouri - Columbia in early August each year.  (2018)