Providence, RI – Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and Marion Gold, Commissioner of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, today honored three Rhode Island Schools, Scituate High School, Cranston's Park View Middle School, and Central Falls' Calcutt Middle School, for exemplary energy education programs. The awards were presented at a ceremony in the State Room at the Rhode Island State House.
"Congratulations to the students and the teachers involved in this effort to advance energy education in our schools," Governor Chafee said. "I applaud initiatives that raise the level of awareness of energy and environmental issues, and their importance to our communities."
Scituate High School competed against 80 schools nationwide to win the title National Senior Level School of the Year. Led by science teacher Shannon Donovan, students hosted events throughout the year to promote energy education. Their projects included:
- An educational workshop around solar, wind, building and transportation energy.
- A meet-and-greet with local farmers to learn about how local agriculture can reduce transportation energy usage.
- Visits to the local elementary school to teach younger students about local agriculture and energy.
Additionally, Park View Middle School was recognized as Rhode Island's Overall State School of the Year, and Calcutt Middle School was celebrated as the state's Junior School of the Year.
The three schools participated in the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project – a network of schools, students, educators, and businesses that promotes energy education in more than 65,000 classrooms nationwide. Students who participate in NEED projects organize programs to educate their peers and communities on key energy issues, such as ways for community members to save money through energy efficiency and conservation measures.
"We are proud of the accomplishments of these students and their teachers," Gold said. "Their energy projects not only benefit the students, but each of their communities. We are pleased to support the program as a critically important investment in energy literacy for tomorrow's leaders."
The NEED Project is a nonprofit organization with programs in all 50 states, the U.S. territories and several other nations. NEED has developed innovative materials and implemented programs that not only teach about energy, but also develop leadership and critical thinking skills. NEED's Kids Teaching Kids philosophy encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning and that of others. NEED is sponsored by both renewable and nonrenewable energy companies, federal, state and local agencies, energy consumers and by national and state energy and education associations.
For more information about the NEED Project and the Awards Ceremony or any of the awards mentioned here, please call Barbara Cesaro at (401) 574-9105 or via email to barbara.cesaro@energy.ri,gov.