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Sample Project Ideas

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CREATING A PROJECT

CREATING A PROJECT

Energy Awareness And Outreach Activities

Within Your School

ƒ Conduct NEED classroom activities — Energy Expo, Energy Enigma, Energy Carnival, etc. Download these activities for free from shop.NEED.org

ƒ Invite guest speakers on energy issues.

ƒ Publish a school-wide energy e-newsletter.

ƒ Conduct a school-wide energy fair.

ƒ Promote a “Carpool Only Day”, “Mass Transit Only Day”, “No Electricity Day”, or “No Power Hour.”

ƒ Develop and provide lesson plans for teachers to use that integrate energy into their subjects.

ƒ Create an energy time capsule with information about how we use energy now and predictions for the future.

ƒ Conduct an energy audit of the school and prepare a presentation of your findings for the school board and/or PTA.

Reaching Out to Families

ƒ Implement NEED’s Energy Conservation Contract activity as a schoolwide project.

ƒ Conduct an energy awareness program for a PTA meeting.

ƒ Include energy information in the school newsletter.

ƒ Interview senior citizens and publish a special report on energy in the good old days.

ƒ Develop a community social media page to discuss energy efficiency and conservation tips.

For Local Elementary and Middle Schools

ƒ Develop and provide one-week energy unit guides to elementary and middle school teachers.

ƒ Adopt younger classrooms and share energy lessons you have prepared.

ƒ Share stories from NEED’s Energy Stories and More with students in grades K–3.

ƒ Assist students in constructing the Museum of Solid Waste and Energy.

ƒ Conduct Science of Energy experiments for students.

ƒ Conduct an all-day energy workshop for teachers and students.

ƒ Conduct a “Design a Wind Turbine” or “Design a Solar-powered Anything” program.

ƒ Perform a NEED energy play from Energy on Stage, or a song from Energy Live! for the students.

ƒ Sponsor NEED clubs at the schools by becoming mentors.

ƒ Conduct an Energy Carnival for local elementary schools.

For the Community at Large

ƒ Construct a set of Museum of Solid Waste and Energy exhibits and take them on a tour of local malls or public buildings. Download the guide from shop.need.org.

ƒ Write public service announcements for the DJ to read on your local radio station.

ƒ Produce an energy video to be shown on local public television or closed-circuit stations.

ƒ Write energy articles for community newspapers, newsletters, and blogs.

ƒ Create placemats for local restaurants to use that teach about energy.

ƒ Conduct energy audits for local businesses.

ƒ Present programs for community meetings.

ƒ Create a social media campaign to encourage others to make a change.

Energy Conservation Programs

ƒ Install bicycle racks at your school and promote cycling as an alternative to driving to school.

ƒ Install a carpool bulletin board at your school for after school programs.

ƒ Work with teachers to encourage or require “both sides of the paper” reports.

ƒ Investigate your school cafeteria and suggest alternatives to wasteful practices.

ƒ Work with teachers to create a paperless classroom.

Community Policy Activities

ƒ Encourage your local government to mandate residential and commercial recycling programs.

ƒ Encourage your local government to implement a community-wide composting program for food and yard wastes.

ƒ Encourage your local government to provide tax incentives or assistance for residential and commercial energy-efficiency measures.

ƒ Encourage your local government to provide bike paths and carpool lanes to reduce automobile use.

ƒ Investigate the needs, concerns, or problems of your particular community and make suggestions to your local government.

ƒ Investigate renewable energy options for your local community and present your findings to local government officials and community members.

Community Outreach Activities

ƒ Write, illustrate, and publish a pamphlet, poster, or website on easy energy conservation tips to be placed in or shared with public buildings, community organizations, and businesses.

ƒ Produce a video or series of video clips demonstrating how to save energy through simple actions and efficient upgrades. Share the videos on a local or school TV network, website, or social media page.

ƒ Implement mentor and internship programs with the major utilities and energy users in your community.

ƒ Set up energy awareness booths at local fairs and expos.

ƒ Build an energy efficient demonstration house to exhibit at community functions.

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