Home Energy Challenge Information
Website Link
September 19, 2011
Dear Wilson Parents,
I’m excited to share a program that many of our classes will be participating in as a school community. America’s Home Energy Challenge “inspires friendly competition among classes and schools, as students develop and implement energy saving strategies with the goal of saving money over a 3-month period.” This contest is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and is administered by the National Science Teachers Association. This challenge is a great way for our students to utilize math, writing and problem solving skills both inside and outside of the classroom. This contest also provides the opportunity to compete for Regional and National monetary awards based upon participation.
Here’s how it works:
1. Students will collect 3 consecutive months of individual home energy use during the challenge period of September to December 2011, and compare it to the baseline data for the same three-month period of 2010.
2. Parents will work with students to collect and input the data online. Energy usage rates from 2010 can be obtained from TEP or your local energy provider. 2011 data can be obtained from current bills.
3. Teachers will work with students to analyze the data with the goal of learning about energy conservation and reducing their energy use.
4. Students will draft an energy use savings plan for their own homes.
5. The Wilson WattBuster club will provide energy saving tips to the students and will track a friendly competition among classrooms.
6. Participants must collect actual (not estimated) energy use data from their utility records. (Teachers will share optional participation for students unable to access baseline and challenge period utility bills).
7. Students will be assigned IDs to log into the challenge website. There will be no identifying data input online, so privacy will be maintained.
More information can be found at the following website: http://www.homeenergychallenge.org
Please join us in this exciting challenge for our community and reap the benefits of lower electric bills.