The United States Department of Energy and the National Science Teachers Association have chosen the winners of the America’s Home Energy Education Challenge (AHEEC), a national student competition designed to encourage students and their families to take action to start saving money by saving energy.
AHEEC asked students in grades 3-8 to come up with plans, with the help of their science teachers and a local utility company, to reduce the energy used in their schools and homes. The students “were judged on several criteria, including energy and cost savings, overall quality and presentation of the team narrative, focus on behavioral changes and creativity of local school involvement,” according to the press release.
“This competition engages our future scientists, researchers and engineers in the effort to save money by saving energy, while also protecting the environment and contributing to our clean energy economy,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, in a prepared statement. “By applying the math and science skills they are learning at school, these students are making a difference, inspiring their families and communities to make choices to save energy and reduce emissions, moving the U.S. closer to its low carbon future.” The AHEEC also hopes to inspire students to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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The Academy for Science and Design in Nashua is proud to announce that Mrs. Phillips’ Sixth Grade Advisory Group received honorable mention for the poster contest as well as the Home Energy Challenge.
“I loved this contest because it gave me an opportunity to not only teach my students about energy conservation, but how to actually practice it in their own homes.” said sixth grade teacher Bridget Phillips enthusiastically, she continued. “My students had an opportunity to teach their families how to save energy too. This contest is teaching students that energy conservation around the globe is important. Energy conservation starts in your very own home, one household at a time. Each household can make a difference. I look forward to involving more classrooms at ASD next year.”
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This group of students submitted energy data for three months, November 2012, December 2012 and January 2013. Then again in November 2013, December 2013 and January 2014 to see how much energy was saved. Students had to practice the conservation methods they learned about. Students also had to submit narratives explaining if they saved energy or if they didn’t and why.
ASD is a chartered public school for grades 6 through 12, specializing in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology located in Nashua New Hampshire. www.asdnh.org
