Green Education Foundation (GEF) and National Grid Announce Winners of its 2013-2014 Academic Year Sustainability Contests

Green Education Foundation’s (GEF) Green Energy Challenge had over two million students participate from K-12 schools nationwide during its school-based energy efficiency program which coupled environmental lessons with hands-on audits. The Green Energy Challenge, sponsored by National Grid, called on students to examine their classrooms, schools and homes to find energy leaks and correct them in order to save on utility costs and help the environment. Participating schools researched past bills and implemented simple changes to reduce associated costs during the school year.

GEF’s Green Energy Challenge provides standards-based lessons, activities (including a comprehensive energy checklist) and projects that are easily incorporated into science, ELA and social studies curricula. Audit checklists and energy experiments for all grade levels accompany the program.

The Green Energy Challenge hosts two annual contests including the Green Classroom Pledge, which called on classes of students to “pledge” to protect classroom resources by implanting simple habits such as turning off the lights when leaving the class, using both sides of the paper for projects, and unplugging all electronics when not in use. The Pell Elementary School from Newport, RI had all 38 classes sign the Pledge making them the winners of this year’s Pledge contest. All 872 students and 40 teachers received Green Packs, courtesy of National Grid, which included: reusable shopping bags, water bottles, snack containers and organic tee-shirts.  “The impact our students can make with these daily changes are incredible. It is important for our students to recognize the importance of taking care of the planet we live on. Pell School has a mission to create lifelong environmental ambassador’s… It starts here and every little bit counts!” –Donna Kelly, Kindergarten Teacher, Pell Elementary School.

“Protect Our Earth,” the second ‘Challenge’ contest, kicked off in February during National Green Week, and called on students to submit essays or  poems detailing their thoughts on what can be done to protect our planet’s valuable resources. Hundreds of students submitted heartfelt writings accompanied by artwork conveying their ideas and suggestions. The following four talented winners will each receive $200 for their classroom: fifth grader Andrew Yankee of Garvin Memorial Elementary School, Cumberland RI; second grader Tanja Tuco of Holmes Elementary School, Brooklyn, NY; second grader Adam Wysocki of PS 132 Brooklyn, NY and ninth grader Iris D'Urso of Haverhill High School, Haverhill, MA.

"Getting young people on board with energy and sustainability is so important to our future in the Northeast and across the country, so National Grid is proud to partner with GEF for the sixth year in a row," said Edward White, vice president of Customer Strategy and Environmental, National Grid.  "Congratulations to this year's contest participants and winners; we can’t wait to see them develop into the next generation of science, energy and environmental leaders."

To view the winning student’s entries, visit: www.greeneducationfoundation.org/writingcontest

“By participating in these contests and programs students will learn how simple strategies like turning off lights and utilizing power strips can add up to big savings both at school and at home,” says Victoria Waters, CEO Green Education Foundation (GEF). “Children are in the best position to impact the future of our environment by developing green behaviors that become lifelong habits.”

88% of teachers “would recommend the program to their colleagues and peers,” according to last year’s survey results.  The Green Energy Challenge is free! Schools and youth groups are urged to register now at www.GreenEducationFoundation.org.