ENERGY IDEAS · SPRING 1997 / WINTER 1996 · VOL. 4, NUMBER 3
LESSONS FOR A LIFETIME
A growing number of schools are integrating energy-related educational curricula with facilities improvement programs because they realize students can be an important participant in their facility's energy conservation program. Many believe that educating children about the effects of energy consumption on the environment and its connection to issues such as global climate change, acid rain, and economic and political disruption will help them cultivate responsible attitudes toward energy use over the long term.In addition, many environmental education organizations - and even utilities -- are encouraging students to learn about energy efficiency in school because they recognize children often influence their parents' energy decisions at home.
EDUCATION GENERATES RESULTS
A study commissioned by the Energy Source Education Council found that "students who participate in one or more Energy Source units during elementary school are substantially more interested in it, and have better energy conservation habits." According to the Council, students who studied three to four units reportedly take quick showers more often (41 percent higher) and turn off unused lights more frequently (21 percent higher). They also reported feeling more informed (58 percent) and more interested (21 percent higher) in energy-related topics than those who had no school-based energy education program.
The Council uses these results to convince utilities and municipalities to purchase their curricula for use in local school districts.
Recently, the Council partnered with EcoGroup of Tempe, Arizona to produce a new unit for upper elementary students, called People Power-Living in concert with the environment. This unit integrates popular aspects of EcoGroup's In Concert With the Environment Program for middle and high schools. In Concert for the Environment has been utilized by over 30 different gas and electric utilities and has reached more than 500,000 middle and high school students.
The new program encourages students to evaluate their family's energy and water consumption as well as transportation and recycling habits. Students complete an energy survey with their parents, and then input data into a computer at school to formulate an EcoWatt Benefit Action Plan for their household.
For More Information: Ann Crafton, Energy Source, 5505 East Carson St., Suite 250, Lakewood, CA 90713; (310) 420-6814; Fax:(310) 420-1485. Meg Matt, EcoGroup, Inc., 2085 E. Technology Circle, Suite 301, Tempe, AZ 85284-1817; (602) 777-3000; Fax: (602) 777-3100; Web: http://www.ecogroup.transunion.com/.
STUDENTS LEARN TO BE WATER WISE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT
The National Energy Foundation, a non-profit corporation, has created a wide variety of energy education materials for schools. One program designed for grades four to eight, Learning to be Water Wise and Energy Efficient, has earned the group the Governor's Clean Texas 2000 Award for Environmental Excellence. The curriculum combines classroom activities, videos, posters and computer programs with hands-on exercises the students complete at home. Like Energy Source (described above), utilities or government agencies sponsor and pay for the program, and give each student a take-home kit containing energy-saving technologies.
A water management consultant for Houston recently concluded that the City's $200,000 investment in students' take-home water conservation kits was highly beneficial, returning $5.60 for every $1 spent by saving 22.9 gallons of water, and a corresponding amount of wastewater, per household per day, according to EPA's Aug./Sept. 1996 Pollution Prevention News.
For More Information: Christian Scheder, Director of Marketing, Learning to be Water Wise and Energy Efficient Program, 114 Virginia Rd., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601; (888) GETWISE; Fax: (970) 928-8231; E-mail: getwise@rof.net; Web: http://www.getwise.org/.
CASE STUDY:
CITY OF AZUSA SCHOOLS
DEVELOP AWARD-WINNING EDUCATION
PROGRAM
The Light and Water Department of the City of Azusa, California has teamed up with teachers (trained by the National Energy Foundation) to create a program which helps students learn about and protect their energy and water sources. In 1996, 16 public and private schools benefitted from this award-winning energy education program, Resources in Schools and the Environment. "The students have really enjoyed the classes," said Mary Kay Ogden, Senior Director of Curricula for the Azusa Unified School District, "and the teachers are eager to expand the program."
Students and teachers involved in the program participate in the following activities:
written reminders on the doorknobs for the energy-wasting culprits. "Energy patrols helped the school sites save several hundred dollars during the first year of the program," according to a City of Azusa Light and Water Department report.
For more information: Mary Kay Ogden, Azusa Unified School District, 546 S. Citrus Ave., Azusa, CA 91702; (818) 858-6194; Fax: (818) 858-6123. Bob Tang, City of Azusa Water and Light Department, 729 N. Azusa Ave., PO Box 9500, Azusa, CA 91702; (818) 812-5214; Fax: (818) 334-3163.
High School Solar Design Contest
High school students across the country can compete annually in the Regional High School Solar Design Contest, co-sponsored by the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) and the Potomac Region Solar Energy Association (PRSEA) with the chance to win $2,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds. Students are asked to submit practical solar designs. Previous winning entries include a solar-powered device which turns salt water into potable drinking water for emergency situations and a radio repeater that can be used in remote areas. The goal of the contest is to interest students in pursuing careers in the renewable energy field.
For More Information: John McGill, Potomac Region Solar Energy Association (PRSEA), 5468 Wingborne Ct., Columbia, MD 21045; Phone/Fax: (410) 997-8331; E-mail: prseaweb@aol.com; Web: http://solstice.crest.org/renewables/PRSEA/.
PROFILES IN ACTION:
Often, it is one person who champions the idea for an energy
management or education program. That person, a principal, administrator,
teacher or even a student, usually has the vision and conviction to promote and
motivate people to participate in the quest for sustainable living. The
following profiles offer two examples of successful energy conservation
advocates.
TWO EDUCATORS
BELIEVE IN FUTURE
SCIENCE TEACHER CULTIVATES CONSERVATION ETHIC IN STUDENTS
One of the most innovative and inspirational programs merging environmental education and energy conservation is taking place in the heartland of America. Sixth-grade science students in West Branch, Iowa have a science teacher, Hector Ibarra, who has won numerous honors - including a Presidential Excellence in Science and Mathematics Award - for his hands-on energy education projects. Since 1992, Ibarra's classes have studied the science of energy use through experimentation and have participated in numerous conservation efforts designed to improve the efficiency of their school and other buildings within the community.
One example is an experiment comparing different fluorescent lamps installed in the computer and science rooms. After calculating that T-8 lamps were 67 percent more efficient than the T-12 lamps the school was using at the time, the students successfully lobbied the school board and superintendent to retrofit the entire middle school with high-efficiency lighting. The students also motivated administrators to install water-conserving faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads in the school's bathrooms and locker rooms.
Perhaps the students' greatest achievement came when they convinced a local bank to finance a loan for the retrofit project - with the assistance of the Iowa Energy Center. The school plans to pay back this low-interest loan in just over four years with the money it saves by cutting its utility bills. As one student involved with the project, Jillian Arn, remarked, "All the money we get back we're going to put into our educational system." The students have learned the value of renewable energy, as well, by building their own model cars powered by photovoltaic cells to compete in the Solar Car Rayces sponsored by the Iowa Energy Center. Ibarra's ultimate goal is to make his students energy-wise consumers. Says Ibarra, "If you teach students to memorize, they learn for the test; but if you teach them the process of learning, they will learn for a lifetime."
For More Information: Hector Ibarra, West Branch Middle School Science Classes, PO Box 637, West Branch, IA 52358; (319) 643-5324; Fax: (319) 643-7122; E-mail: hibarra@blue.weeg.iowa.edu.
WORKSHOPS TEACH STUDENTS VALUE OF ENERGY
by Angela Kiker
"Two, four, six, eight, saving energy is really great!" chant a room full of energized students in one of Diane Hagans' Children's Energy Workshops. This program, sponsored by the New Orleans-based Alliance for Affordable Energy, is provided as a free community service for children between the ages of four and 14. Hagans, who has traveled throughout Louisiana since 1993, has conducted more than 300 workshops, reaching over 8,400 children.
The workshops focus primarily on energy-efficiency issues such as lighting, heating, building envelope and water usage, but also touch on other environmental topics including recycling and land preservation. For older groups, Hagans teaches how specific energy sources are "used and abused."
Through various stories, games, puzzles, puppets, songs and artwork, students become very involved in the workshops, and even become teachers themselves by relaying information about environmental concerns to their parents, teachers and other students.
Hagans says she learns from the children just as they learn from her. "It is beautiful to watch and see them learn. They are so excited to go home and teach the grown-ups to be more energy efficient and environmentally conscious."
The Children's Energy Workshops are often conducted in schools, libraries, bookstores, summer camps and zoos. They have also been held at a recycling club, scout meetings, and recently at a few birthday parties by request. "This has been the most rewarding, enjoyable, interest-filled workshop I have ever experienced," said Ms. Murray of LeFon Elementary School. "This was truly a worthwhile endeavor," Inez Smith of Central City Library remarked, adding, "We would enjoy a repeat performance."
Diane Hagans has brought charm and compassion into the Children's Energy Workshops, and they have been presented by the Alliance with huge success.
For More Information: Lela Neff, Children's Energy Workshops, Alliance for Affordable Energy, 604 Julia St., New Orleans, LA 70130; (504) 525-0778; Fax: (504) 525-0779.
TRAINING PROGRAMS EMPOWER EDUCATORS
National Project Fills a NEED:The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project is a non-profit organization which trains teachers around the country to understand and involve students in energy-related activities. Initiated by an Act of Congress in 1980, "NEED was founded on the conviction that an energy-literate public is essential to a coherent and viable energy future."
"Our whole philosophy is to promote kids teaching kids," explained Doug Blemker, a member of the NEED Board of Directors and college student who has been involved in the project since he was in seventh grade. In its week-long summer training conference as well as its day-long workshops held at selected schools, NEED encourages teachers to engage students in hands-on learning activities such as the Science of Energy, Energy Debate and Energy Night Live.
Each year, NEED presents Youth Awards for Energy Achievement in order to recognize students and teachers who have made outstanding efforts to promote energy awareness. National winners are brought to Washington, DC where they receive further praise, share information and become motivated by their peers.
Participating teachers receive curricula, fact sheets, networking opportunities and a magazine subscription. Annual membership dues are $35 a year, with some sponsorships available.
For More Information: Mary Spruill, Programs Director, National Energy Education Development Project, PO Box 2518, Reston, VA 20195; (703) 860-5029; Fax: (703) 860-2903; E-mail: need@erols.com; Web: http://www.need.org/need/.
The "Network" Links Educators:The National Network of Energy and
Environmental Education Professionals was formed at a 1993 conference on energy
education to provide environmental educators with "field tested materials,
projects and strategies which can be adapted for use in their programs."
Members of the "Network" help each other by developing and evaluating
curricula, highlighting model schools of environmental stewardship,
contributing to the organization's newsletter, meeting annually and networking
informally.
For More Information: Carol Timms, Project Director, Educational Dividends, 302 West Hill St., Champaign, IL 61820; (217) 359-9442; Fax: (217) 359-9446; E-mail: educational_dividends@compuserve.com; Web: http://www.leeric.lsu.edu/network/network.htm.
Solar Energy Association Teaches Teachers: The Potomac Region Solar
Energy Association (PRSEA) has developed a Teach the Teacher program which
gives educators the opportunity to learn, hands-on, how to use
electricity-generating solar panels. In the workshops, PRSEA targets the
science department chairs, utilizes donated equipment and recruits local
members with technical expertise in photovoltaic (PV) technology to demonstrate
how solar energy can be used to power various appliances. The teachers also
discuss how they can design science experiments to promote a better
understanding of solar energy. PRSEA plans to expand the program into nearby
counties in 1997 and hopes other communities will initiate similar projects.
For More Information: Jane Willeboordse, PRSEA, 5468 Wingborne Ct., Columbia, MD 21045; Phone/Fax:(410) 997-8331; E-mail: prseaweb@aol.com; Web: http://solstice.crest.org/renewables/PRSEA/.
FOUNDATION FUELS ENERGY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, created by Congress in 1980 under the National Environmental Education Act, provides funding to schools for environmental information programs. Its current priorities are water and health.
Its mission is to advance public/private partnerships by requiring groups to receive matching grants from private contributors. As of April 1995, the foundation had given out more than $1.2 million in federal grants, coupled with another $2.8 million in monies leveraged from private sources. An application form is required to apply for the program.
For More Information: Susan Yum, Administrative Coordinator, National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, 734 15th St., NW, Suite 420, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 628-8200, Ext. 16; Fax: (202)628-8204; E-mail:yum@neetf.org.
FREE ENERGY EDUCATIONRESOURCES AVAILABLE
Schools which are unable to secure funding to pay for the development of energy education programs can take advantage of many available free and low-cost resources.
EnergyNet Links Students: EnergyNet started as a project to help
Illinois students perform energy audits of their school's lighting, heating and
cooling system. EnergyNet provides software and utilizes engineers to
analyze data, while posting the results of the audits on the Internet and
having on-line discussion areas and news groups to allow students to learn from
each other and from experts.
This year the program is available to organizations nationally through a licensing agreement and can be accessed through the Internet.
"Putting computers in the classrooms is not enough," says Carol Timms, EnergyNet Project Director. "Students need to understand how computer programs and telecommunications networks can help can help them solve everyday problems quickly and creatively. EnergyNet gives students a real world payback: as a result of their audits, their high schools can save money on future utility bills and their energy producers can reduce pollution."
For More Information: Carol Timms, Project Director, Educational Dividends, 302 West Hill St., Champaign, IL 61820; (217) 359-9442; Fax: (217) 359-9446; E-mail: educational_dividends@compuserve.com; Web:http://teaparty.terc.edu/energy/energy.html.
California and Washington Web Materials Shine: State energy offices are
beginning to recognize the value of posting educational materials on-line. The
following are particularly noteworthy:
U.S. Department of Energy's Education Materials: The U.S. Department of
Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) maintains a
Website at http://www.eren.doe.gov/, which gives users information and
resources on energy-related topics. EREN's sister organization, the Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) provides a free video for
high school teachers on alternative energy sources and energy savings
technology. Call (800) 363-3732 for a copy.
Envirolink K-12: Envirolink K-12 offers a valuable Website at
http://www.envirolink.org/enviroed/envirok12.html. Envirolink was developed by
the 4-H and provides a K-12 environmental resource list which supplies links to
on-line materials such as The Energy Education Resource Guide.
Environmental Education: The National Consortium for
Environmental Education and Training's Environmental Education Link, EE-Link,
is at http://eelink.umich.edu/. EE-Link helps those who develop and institute
K-12 environmental education.
CREST SOFTWARE
The Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (CREST) --
the central project of the Solar Energy Research and Education Foundation
(SEREF) - is dedicated to using advanced computer and communication
technologies to promote the adoption and use of sustainable energy
technologies. CREST, which has been deemed a leader in electronic dissemination
of energy educational
materials, has created the Solstice Website, at http://solstice.crest.org/.
Solstice has won numerous awards for Internet excellence and averages over
10,000 visits every day. CREST's multimedia program offers numerous resources,
including the following highlights presented below:
A BOOST TO STUDENTS
AND TEACHERS
THE SCHOOL ENERGY DOCTOR
Classroom activities developed by science teacher Hector Ibarra and others have served as the inspiration for sophisticated, yet user-friendly interactive exercises for high school students which develop and utilize their skills in math, science and economics.
The School Energy Doctor can be downloaded from the Web (a registered version costs $10); it is also available on floppy disk (at a cost of $15, specify either Windows or Mac format.)
BACK TO SCHOOL ENERGY AUDIT SOFTWARE
A newly-created Back to School computer program makes it easy to conduct a rough "do-it-yourself" energy analysis of lighting in homes, schools and offices and calculate the energy, cost and pollution reduction that can be gained by switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents.
After completing a walk-through of their buildings, occupants can plug-in information about the wattage and time that each light fixture is used. The program tells the user where the break-even payback point is (usually at one to two years.) Participants who send completed surveys to a national databank are given a certificate signed by Vice President Gore and the Secretary of Energy.
This free software can be downloaded from the Internet at http://solstice.crest.org/efficiency/bts/.
THE SUN'S JOULES
Called "a multi-media encyclopedia on renewable energy," this CD-ROM offers educational text, sound tracks, video clips and interactive exercises on topics such as photovoltaics, passive solar building design, energy efficiency, wind and geothermal power, transportation and more. According to its creator, the Sun's Joules is "an interactive resource that teaches real-world application of environmentally friendly technologies and their positive impact on the environment." This CD-ROM costs $25; look for an updated version in 1997.
For More Information: CREST, 1200 18th St., NW, #900, Washington, DC 20036; E-mail: comments@crest.org. To order the CD-ROM, call (800) 346-0104.
KIDS! RENEW AMERICA
Renew America is a non-profit organization which publicizes successful environmental sustainability projects. Kids! highlights numerous school energy-efficiency and resource conservation programs around the country.
For more information: Tina Hobson, Renew America, 1400 16th St., NW, #710, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 232-2252; Fax:(202) 232-2617; E-mail: renewamerica@igc.apc.org; Web: http://solstice.crest.org/renew_america/.
COMPARING ENERGY
1. Contact the School District Business Manager and ask how
much is spent on gas and electricity, how much is spent on books and materials
and the average daily attendance for the school/district.
AND MATERIALS COSTS
2. Divide the energy cost by enrollment. This will tell how much the school/district spends on each student for energy.
3. Divide the cost of books and materials by enrollment. This shows how much the school/district spends on each student for materials.
4. Compare the cost of books and materials with the cost of energy per student.
Source: Bonnie J. Cornwall, California Energy Extension Service (CEES), August 1994, as it appeared in Blueprint for a Green School, Jayni Chase, 1995.