Improv Sketches Teach Students About Energy Conservation

Submitted by Troy School District 30-C

Photo: Troy Middle School eighth-grader Christian Knapczyk, left, was one of the volunteer participants in this month’s energy-saving theatre production put on by professional actors Austin England and Carter Allen, with the National Theatre for Children.

A high-energy performance of improvisational comedy sketches at Troy Middle School this month taught students about low-energy ways to live and play.

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Professional actors with The Resource Force and the National Theatre for Children used two interactive performances – one for seventh graders and the other for eighth – to teach about natural resources and energy conservation. The actors also delivered free sets of personalized materials for TMS science teachers, such as digital games and activities for the classroom, and energy efficiency kits for students to take home. The kits included energy-saving light bulbs, water-saving shower heads and power strips.

The middle school will also receive cash rewards if they reach certain energy-saving goals. The Resource Force challenged participating schools to save a total of 1.2 million kilowatt hours worth of energy this year.

TMS science teacher Dr. Barbara Will-Henn, who organized the assembly, said the school has already qualified for a $250 cash award that will go to the science department.

District parents who have not already done so are asked to help the school fulfill its goal for a $2,500 science department grant by filling out and submitting the form for a free energy-saving kit at www.resourcekit.org.