Welcome, Educators!
Let’s Dig Into Safety Together.
You help shape curious minds every day. JULIE is here to help you bring underground utility safety into the classroom.
Teaching Safety That Lasts a Lifetime
Every day, people dig to plant trees, build fences, or start new projects—but many don’t realize what’s hidden underground.
That’s why JULIE is committed to helping communities stay safe by spreading awareness about calling 811 before digging.
When students learn that underground utilities like gas, water, and electricity are all around us, they begin to understand how one simple step can prevent big problems.
By introducing these ideas early, we’re not just teaching a lesson—we’re helping build safer habits that students can carry home to their families and into the future.
Easy Tools for Meaningful Lessons
We know educators are always looking for ways to make learning engaging and relevant. That’s why JULIE created this space just for you.
Here, you’ll find activities, ideas, and resources that make it easy to introduce safe digging concepts in a way students can connect with. From simple discussions to interactive learning, everything is designed to help students understand what’s underground—and why it matters.
Take a look around, try something new, and use these resources in whatever way works best for your classroom.
Our Lesson Plans
Why Calling 811 Matters
There’s more beneath our feet than we can see. Important services like water, electricity, gas, and internet are all delivered through underground lines.
If someone digs without knowing what’s below, those lines can be damaged—causing power outages, loss of water, or even dangerous situations.
That’s why grown-ups are supposed to contact 811 before they dig. It’s a simple step that helps mark underground utilities and keeps everyone safe.
When students learn this early, they remember it—and they often remind the adults in their lives, too.
Have an Idea to Share?
If you’ve created a lesson or activity around safe digging or 811 awareness, we’d love to see it. Your ideas can help other educators bring these important lessons to their classrooms.
Share Your Lesson Plan
Take a Field Trip to Shovelton Springs!
Looking for a fun way to extend the learning beyond the classroom? Send your students on an underground adventure at Shovelton Springs — JULIE’s interactive kids’ activity hub! Students can explore games, puzzles, and stories featuring the JULIE critters while learning all about underground utility safety in an engaging, kid-friendly environment.
Questions from Educators
The JULIE Kids resources are primarily designed for elementary-age students (K–5), but many materials — including videos, downloads, and the Shovelton Springs activity hub — can be adapted for middle school audiences as well. We encourage educators to use their own judgment in adapting content to fit their students’ needs.
Not at all. Everything is designed to be easy to understand, even if this is your first time introducing the topic.
811 education naturally connects to STEM concepts (infrastructure, engineering, earth science), social studies (community helpers, public safety), health and safety, and even language arts (through our story and reading materials). JULIE resources can support cross-curricular learning in creative ways.
Absolutely! Feel free to modify and build on anything you find here to best fit your students.
You can share lesson ideas, ask questions, or reach out anytime—we’re always happy to support educators.
Yes! All resources available on JULIE Kids — including workbooks, word searches, coloring sheets, and activity guides — are completely free to download and use for educational purposes.