Five Wake County Schools and EnergySavers Win National Recognition for Energy Education
May 4, 2001--Five Wake County schools and the EnergySavers program won national recognition for promoting energy education and will be honored at the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Youth Awards Program, June 22-25, 2001 in Washington, D.C. Green Hope High tied for Senior Rookie of the Year, Lockhart Elementary won Runner-up, and EnergySavers won District of the Year. Davis Drive Middle, North Ridge and Knightdale elementaries will also be recognized for their energy conservation projects.
NEED panelists judged entrants based on scrapbooks showing what projects they have done throughout the year to promote energy education. Awards are given to the winner and runner-up in the elementary, junior and senior levels. Rookie awards are given at each level for schools in their first year of the NEED program.
NEED's "Kids Teaching Kids" approach encourages students to teach their peers and communities about energy in fun and innovative ways.
WCPSS' EnergySavers program published and distributed energy conservation brochures and calendars, awarded rebates to schools that reduced their energy consumption, and established a utility database for schools. The EnergySavers team traveled across the state promoting conservation awareness and participated in the Carolina Electric Vehicle Challenge and Junior Solar Sprint.
Last year, Martin Middle won Rookie of the Year, Davis Drive Middle won the Junior Level, and EnergySavers was the District Finalist. EnergySavers was also the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 1999 Energy Star Buildings Education Partner of the Year.