‘Mr. E’ hits a big student milestone

March 16, 2026 | Grant Schulte | community, energy education, OPPD employees

Ten thousand students, and still telling dad jokes!

The famous “Mr. E” from OPPD hit a major milestone last week at Bell Elementary School in Papillion.

In a class full of antsy, excited fifth graders, Energy Consultant Eric BenSalah – the master of OPPD’s Energy Education Program – shared important energy knowledge and some groan-inducing one-liners with his 10,000th Nebraska student.

The session began with a quick primer on why the wind blows and how it spins turbines to generate electricity, then pivoted to the pros and cons of wind energy and how it complements other sources.

Students built paper pinwheels to simulate wind energy, then lined up to see if their fan blades would spin freely when Mr. E pointed an electric fan at their pinwheels. Photo courtesy of Papillion La Vista Community Schools

For a hands-on lesson, BenSalah helped students build paper pinwheels to simulate wind energy. The big test came a few minutes later, when the youngsters lined up to see if their fan blades would spin freely when Mr. E blew on them with an electric fan.

“That looks good to me,” BenSalah said to one student. “I’m a fan.” (Laughs and groans from the students … always with the dad jokes).

In other sessions, BenSalah shows students how to make solar-powered pizza ovens and offers random bits of trivia. He also shares photos of his rescue dogs, Flapjack and Waffles, lounging in front of a window to explain how passive solar energy can warm a home.

Educating future generations

BenSalah’s “Mr. E” persona is part of OPPD’s efforts to inform and inspire young Nebraskans in hopes that some will consider future careers in energy, engineering, math and science.

Throughout the year, OPPD representatives visit schools and career fairs to connect with students.

OPPD representatives visit schools and career fairs throughout the year to teach students. Topics include electricity, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and careers, and more. Photo courtesy of Papillion La Vista Community Schools

The annual “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” event encourages school-aged girls to consider engineering. Students at Omaha-area high schools get a small taste of utility careers in a gathering OPPD co-hosts with Metropolitan Utilities District.

And, of course, OPPD’s Society of Engineers tests students every year with the Marshmallow Challenge. In that contest, fifth-graders build the tallest free-standing structure they can using uncooked spaghetti, masking tape, string and a standard-sized marshmallow.

For school officials who are interested, Mr. E isn’t done yet. Information about his presentations is available here.

Students wrote and drew thank you notes for Eric BenSalah.

About Grant Schulte

Grant Schulte joined OPPD as a content generalist in 2022. He is a former reporter for The Associated Press, where he covered the Nebraska Legislature, state politics and other news for a global audience. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and a proud Hawkeye. In his free time he enjoys running, reading, spending time with his wife, and all things aviation.

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