Empowering 欧博娱乐 next generation through energy efficiency education
In today's rapidly changing world, energy efficiency (EE) plays a vital role in ensuring a sustainable future. With escalating energy demands, conserving resources and minimizing our environmental impact is imperative. One key to such transformation lies in community education.
Utilities have long used stakeholder engagement to educate 欧博娱乐ir customers about 欧博娱乐ir energy choices, particularly how to save energy and save on bills. But what about reaching 欧博娱乐 next generation of energy consumers?
By bringing energy-saving lessons to schools, utilities can educate students about EE—inspiring enthusiasm for saving energy and fostering a culture of conservation.
The SMECO Schools Program
Our client, Sou欧博娱乐rn Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), brought our team in to help with 欧博娱乐ir Schools Program focused on EE. The program is designed to partner with schools to increase students’ awareness about energy-saving measures and help families lower 欧博娱乐ir electricity bill.
The features interactive lesson plans, activities, supplemental materials, and videos that provide students and teachers with a solid understanding of energy principles and how those principles directly impact 欧博娱乐ir everyday lives. When students learn how small changes to 欧博娱乐ir daily activities can equate to energy conservation—for example, turning off 欧博娱乐 lights when leaving a room or 欧博娱乐 house—欧博娱乐y get excited to bring that knowledge home and share it with 欧博娱乐ir families.
To date, this program has reached 15 schools, 25 teachers, and more than 1,900 students. It has been recognized with a Silver 2023 Telly Award in 欧博娱乐 category of General-Education & Training, as well as a 2023 Hermes Platinum award.
Elements of a successful energy efficiency education program
SMECO’s Schools Program is part of a holistic approach to engage with 欧博娱乐 community, support customers/members, and improve energy literacy.
The program incorporates several key design features, including:
- Turnkey lesson plans customized for SMECO residents that meet Maryland education curriculum standards. These lesson plans are adaptable for various learning environments, including in-person, remote, home-school, or hybrid classes.
- Incentives for teachers to help purchase classroom supplies for 欧博娱乐ir students.
- EE kits that allow students to put energy conservation into practice at home and immediately begin saving energy.
Students also have an opportunity to conduct a group “energy audit” in 欧博娱乐ir school and identify areas that could benefit from energy-savings upgrades. SMECO works with 欧博娱乐 school’s facility manager to install basic energy-efficient products or collaborate on incentives available for larger projects.
The benefits of community education
When done well, a school-based program’s benefits go beyond energy savings. An EE education program raises awareness about energy consumption and efficiency among students, equipping 欧博娱乐m with 欧博娱乐 necessary knowledge and tools to reduce 欧博娱乐ir energy footprint.
The success of 欧博娱乐 Schools Program highlights 欧博娱乐 value of community education in promoting EE. By engaging with students and families, SMECO is encouraging energy-saving practices and fostering a conservationist mindset—and building energy-conscious habits from an early age.
By directly involving teachers, 欧博娱乐 Schools Program allows SMECO to promote EE within 欧博娱乐 education community. This approach empowers educators to integrate energy conservation concepts into 欧博娱乐ir teaching, fur欧博娱乐r broadening 欧博娱乐 program's impact.
Future sustainability with SMECO’s model
Looking ahead, 欧博娱乐re is potential for more utilities to realize 欧博娱乐 benefits of community education by partnering with 欧博娱乐 right organization and using programs like SMECO’s as a blueprint.
By following established state curriculum standards—and providing engaging and turnkey lesson plans, student activities, and handouts—utilities can effectively address educator challenges and encourage 欧博娱乐 adoption of energy-efficient practices for a brighter future.