Local Nonprofit Teaches Warren-Prescott Kids Energy Conservation

Article, info, and photo provided by Kat Friedrich and "e" inc.  

Kids Green their Schools, a free, hands-on energy education program from “e” inc., is motivating over 200 K-8 students at Charlestown’s Warren Prescott School to discover ways to save energy. By the end of the program, these young people will create year-long plans to conserve the energy their school currently loses through lights left on, classroom shades closed in the daytime, computers running when unused, etc.

This six-lesson program will be used in every 2nd to 5th grade class and remain at the Warren Prescott School until March 2012. Then, the ongoing conservation of energy that the classes undertake with “e” inc. will remain a part of the school’s commitment to conservation.

This is the first group of children in the Boston area to participate in Kids Green their Schools. Schools in Roslindale, Dorchester, Charlestown, Jamaica Plain, South End, Brighton and Somerville will join the program throughout the winter and spring.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the students at the Warren Prescott School to connect real-life environmental concerns with their classroom experiences,” said Principal Michele Davis. “This is authentic learning at its best.”

The lessons are hands-on, engaging approaches to serious subjects. For example, Kids Green their Schools educator Chamberlain Segrest asked one class, “How does that electrical energy get to a house?” Remembering last week’s lesson, the students were able to explain that energy comes to the planet from our sun, which fuels plant growth. Then, when the plants die and are buried for millions of years, they become fossilized fuels. People create electricity by burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, natural gas and coal – releasing the sun’s stored energy to do work.

In this week’s lesson, students used balloons to prove that air and carbon dioxide exist. First, the students used a syringe to discover that air exists. Then, they used carbon dioxide from a test tube to inflate balloons. Finally, they used the carbon dioxide to extinguish a candle. “I can’t wait to see what happens!” a student exclaimed.

Tuesday's fun lesson had a serious purpose; it teaches students about carbon dioxide, one of the main gases causing global warming. To close the lesson, students played a brief game representing the greenhouse effect on a warming planet - acting out the role of carbon dioxide molecules and “tagging” sun rays so they stayed in the atmosphere.

After learning where energy comes from, the children in this program will become central to saving it. Segrest and Warren Prescott science specialist Tina Champagne help the children identify ways that the school could conserve energy – such as turning off lights or unplugging devices not in use after hours. Students will seek out opportunities to save energy around their school and chart their accomplishments. The children will also have the opportunity to bring home the lessons of saving energy and will seek out ways to save energy at home.

This program is free to these schools, since Kids Green their Schools is sponsored by NSTAR Electric or the Massachusetts Cultural Council STARS Residencies grant. The program at Warren Prescott School is sponsored by NSTAR Electric. “It’s a win-win for all involved,” said Davis.

“e” inc. designs all of its curricula. Its programs are structured so that the students gain science knowledge - with documented increases in pre/post science test performance of 30-40 percent. “e” inc. programs are unique because they pair knowledge with action and involve students as environmentally responsible citizens making a difference in their schools and communities.

On March 31, “e” inc. will host its fourth annual environmental film festival at Atlantic Wharf in Boston. This year, the event will have a family friendly kids’ matinee and an afternoon EcoFest with short environmental films, hands-on activities, presenters, and a marketplace. In the evening, the festival will conclude with a ticketed locavore tasting supper and a documentary. Tickets will go on sale in February.

“e” inc. is an environment science learning and action center whose pairing of science education with community action leads to environmental change in urban communities. Its mission is to create dynamic environmental citizens committed to understanding and protecting the Earth.