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Moulton Students Discover Easy Ways to Reduce Energy
Students in Jackie Mitchon’s and Tia Meisetschleager’s fifth-grade science classes recently completed the PowerHouseTM energy investigation program, sponsored by Fayette Electric Cooperative (FEC) and the Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC). The program teaches students about electricity production, the effects of energy use on natural resources and the environment, and how to look for energy-wasting habits within their own homes. “This program was a great hands-on activity for the students to learn about saving money and using their electricity more wisely,” said Mitchon. Through PowerHouse, students received a hands-on understanding of energy consumption by becoming energy efficiency experts. Using a walk-through guide, students investigated and recorded their households’ energy-using features and behaviors. The results of their investigation were entered into the PowerHouse software program, which analyzed the data and produced a personalized report showing patterns of energy use, some energy-saving tips and a summary of their effect on the environment and various natural resources. The students also received practical solutions that they can take home to share with their families. “Students enjoy the PowerHouse energy investigation program,” said Clint Petras of GVEC. “They really get involved with the investigation and are surprised to see how much electricity and water their households use each year.” During the 2009-2010 school year, more than 7,100 students learned how to use less energy and save natural resources, thanks to PowerHouse presentations in 60 schools with 29 utility sponsors. LCRA developed the program and offers it to its wholesale electric customers.
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Twenty-four
students at Moulton Elementary School are learning about energy conservation on
a personal level. They are documenting their homes’ energy-using features and
learning that their own bad energy habits like keeping lights on, leaving the
refrigerator door open, or setting the thermostat too low on hot summer days can
waste natural resources and cost their families additional money on their
monthly electric bills.