Two Kennebec County school districts will participate in a federal pilot program aiming to teach elementary school children how to prepare an emergency kit.

Student Tools for Emergency Planning will launch this coming school year in the fourth grade classes at Maranacook and Oakland schools, Kennebec County Emergency Management Agency Director Kelly Amoroso said.

“It’s an age group where the timing is great to learn about something new,” Amoroso said. “If they can grasp the concept of emergency preparedness, it’s something they’ll learn to do as adults.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will fund the entire pilot program, throughout New England, including a starter emergency kit with basic supplies such as a flashlight and blanket for the children. From there, students will take their kits home and continue to add on to them.