Energy efficiency lessons taken to schools

Ruapehu Bulletin, 24 June 1997, Page 5

Energy efficiency lessons taken to schools

Energy efficiency is being taken into schools in a new format that gives children practical skills as they learn, and saves their schools thousands of dollars in the process. 'Energy Action' is a programme developed by Wellington-based energy consultants Negawatt Resoiirces. Local support and distribution is sponsored by King Country Energy. Energy Action has three objectives: • To educate children about concepts of energy, how it can serve us, how it can be wasted and to raise awareness of local, national and global energy issues. • To reduce schools' energy costs by educating and changing energy use behaviour of both staff and pupils • To provide parents with the opportunity to share in home projects, learn how to improve the comfort of their home and

reduce their energy costs and consumption. Partnership Grant Dunford of Negawatt Resources says the programme is a partnership under which everybody wins; schools, children, the community and King Country Energy. Written by science teacher Neil Bellingham with support from the Wellington College of Education, the programme consists of an energy education kit and a school energy management plan. It is designed with the current education environment in mind, meeting the new science and technology curriculum requirements for primary and intermediate' students. Staff from Taumarunui and Ohakune schools recently took the opportunity to attend a workshop run by Negawatts in Taumarunui and intend introducing the programme as part of their curriculum, said KCE marketing manager Bruce Clow.