Education
July 18, 2011
Save it Forward Helps Students Go Green
More than 8,400 students in over 30 schools learned about using and conserving energy this past year, thanks to a partnership between the Departments of Natural Resources and Education. The Save it Forward program was introduced last fall, encouraging schools to submit proposals to the Provincial Government which promoted conservation and wise energy use.
“We were very pleased with the diverse projects submitted by schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Natural Resources. “We funded a variety of projects from litterless lunches, to the purchase of solar panels, to window insulation. Clearly our young people understand the importance of protecting the environment and want to explore ways of reducing their carbon footprint, beginning in their classrooms and schools.”
In November, students were asked to come up with ideas which support the conservation and efficient use of energy. The proposals were evaluated and more than $76,000 was allocated to the successful applicants. A list of projects, all of which are expected to be completed this fall, is provided in the backgrounder below.
“As a government, we are also making an effort to use energy more wisely,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education. “In many of our new schools, we have incorporated eco-friendly features, such as ground source heat pumps, energy-efficient lighting, and other components which are designed to maximize energy efficiency. As a result, more of our students are learning about energy conservation – and living it as well.”
Save It Forward delivers on a commitment in the 2007 Energy Plan to invest in the development of innovative educational programs that engage young people in energy conservation and climate change. The program will continue next school year, with an anticipated call for proposals in the fall.
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Media contacts:
| Heather Maclean Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Projects Funded Through Save it Forward Program
Labrador School District
| School | Project Title | Project Description |
| J.C. Erhardt Memorial Makkovik |
A Little Energy Goes a Long Way | Booklet and poster contests; turning off lights for one hour daily; litterless lunch challenges; and hosting a guest speaker. |
| Henry Gordon Academy Cartwright |
Small Steps Lead to Big Changes | Shutting off lights when classroom is not in use; turning off the heat at the end of the day; developing an energy conservation game for use at home; and making awareness booklets and posters. |
| Peacock Primary
School Happy Valley-Goose Bay |
A Little Energy Goes a Long Way | Booklet and poster contests; turning off lights for one hour daily; litterless lunch challenges; and hosting a guest speaker. |
| St. Peter’s School Black Tickle |
A Little Energy Goes a Long Way | Booklet and poster contests; turning off lights for one hour daily; and hosting a guest speaker. |
| A.P. Low Primary Labrador City/Wabush |
Think Green | Booklet and poster contests; turning off lights for one hour daily; hosting a guest speaker; and making video clips that promote energy conservation. |
| Queen of Peace Middle
School Happy Valley-Goose Bay |
A Little Energy Goes a Long Way | Booklet and poster contests; turning off lights for one hour daily; litterless lunch challenges; and hosting a guest speaker. |
| Northern Lights
Academy Rigolet |
A Little Energy Goes a Long Way | Booklet and poster contests; turning off lights for one hour daily; litterless lunch challenges; and hosting a guest speaker. |
| J.R. Smallwood Middle
School Labrador City/Wabush |
A Little Energy Goes a Long Way | Booklet and poster contests; turning off lights for one hour daily; litterless lunch challenges; and hosting a guest speaker. |
| B.L. Morrison Postville | A Little Energy Goes a Long Way | Booklet and poster contests; turning off lights for one hour daily; litterless lunch challenges; and hosting a guest speaker. |
| District Project | Retrofitting Northern Homes | Provide Grade 7 students living in northern communities with home energy packets consisting of two 60 watt light bulbs and window kits to analyze their home’s present utility usage and determine the savings. |
Western School District
| School | Project Title | Project Description |
| Humber Elementary Corner Brook |
Energy Efficiency Education Through Student Leadership | Printing promotional materials; purchasing promotional T-shirts; and purchasing energy efficient items for the school such as CFL light bulbs. |
| Corner Brook Regional HighCorner Brook |
Getting to Half: Save Energy and the Planet | Receiving professional estimate of current energy use and then purchase energy efficient products and reduce energy use to determine the energy savings that can be created. |
| St. Mary's All Grade Mary’s Harbour |
Eco-friendly Week | Purchase energy efficient light bulbs, as well as seeds and pots to plant. |
| Stephenville Primary Stephenville |
Water and Energy Conservation Project | Light and faucet sensors to be installed around schools. |
| Templeton Academy Meadows |
Student Generated Power | Power generating bike to be purchased for school |
| Jakeman All Grade Trout River |
"Wee" Print | Power generating bike to be purchased for school as well as digital thermostats and funding for guest speaker. |
| St. Thomas Aquinas Port au Port East |
Promoting Awareness, Sparking Initiative | Took part in daily challenges to turn off the lights and recycle. As well funding was provided to make promotional material and host guest speakers. |
| Stephenville
Elementary Stephenville |
Prevent Future Sorrow | Booklet and poster contests, turning off lights for one hour daily; littlerless lunch challenges, and, hosting a guest speaker. |
| District: Corner Brook area schools | Electricity Awareness Project | Power generating bike to be purchased. |
| District Outdoor Education Program | Killdevil Energy Efficiency | Funding provided for educational solar electricity station and CFL light bulbs for distribution to students. |
Central School District
| School | Project Title | Project Description |
| Holy Cross School
Complex Eastport |
WATTS UP | Students to monitor home energy use and record it at school. Funding provided for material to record findings. |
| Valmont Academy King’s Point |
Save Energy Save Money | Energy monitors purchased as well as CFL light bulbs. |
Eastern School District
| School | Project Title | Project Description |
| Clarenville Primary Clarenville | CP Saves it Forward | Making promotional signs, hosting a guest speaker. |
| Mount Pearl
Intermediate Mount Pearl |
Lower Your Carbon Footprint Day | Week-long event consisting of challenges and a celebratory dance at the end of the week. Funding provided for prizes. |
| St. Joseph's Academy Lamaline |
Energy Efficient Jeopardy | Hosted a jeopardy challenge pertaining to energy efficiency. Funding provided for prizes and snacks. |
| Newtown Elementary Mount Pearl |
Conserving our Planet for the Future | Booklet and poster contests, turning off lights for one hour daily; and hosting a guest speaker. |
| Goulds Elementary St. John’s (Goulds) |
Every Drop Counts | Shower coaches to be distributed and occupancy sensor installed in school. |
| Villanova Junior High Conception Bay South (Manuels) |
A Little Energy Goes a Long Way | Booklet and poster contests, turning off lights for one hour daily; littlerless lunch challenges; and hosting a guest speaker. |
| St. Mary's Elementary St. John’s |
St. Mary's Goes Green | Booklet and poster contests, turning off lights for one hour daily; littlerless lunch challenges; and hosting a guest speaker. |
| St. Peter's
Elementary Mount Pearl |
Energy Conservation Awareness Blitz | Funding to install a No Idle Zone sign, as well as classroom and individual prizes for energy efficiency contests. |
| Fatima Academy St. Bride’s |
Environmentfest 2011 | CFL light bulbs for distribution. As well as funding provided for guest speakers and prizes. |
| Amalgamated Academy Bay Roberts |
Grade 4 Energy Conservation Awareness Day | Week-long event with daily lessons and challenges. Funding provided for materials and prizes. |
| St. Andrew's St. John’s |
Energy Conservation and Our Future | Booklet and poster contests, turning off lights for one hour daily; littlerless lunch challenges; and hosting a guest speaker. |
Conseil Scolaire
| School | Project Title | Project Description |
| École Boréale Happy Valley-Goose Bay |
Less Water - Less Energy | Poster contests, installation of low flow shower heads, and distribution of CFL light bulbs. |
2011 07 18 1:45 p.m.