7th Annual Energy Savings Tip Contest for All Maine 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 41
POLICY CODE: ECF

TO: Superintendents of Schools

FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner

DATE: October 29, 2009

RE: 7th Annual Energy Savings Tip Contest for All Maine 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders

On behalf of Governor John Baldacci and Efficiency Maine I would like to invite each of your 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students to participate in this year’s Energy Savings Tip Contest. The Governor will award prizes for the best energy saving ideas in two categories for each grade level: 1) “Tips for Saving Energy in Your Home”; and 2) “Tips for Saving Energy at Your School”. Please note that this is not a poster contest.

October is Energy Awareness Month and is a good time to focus on how we can save energy as we head into the winter heating season. This contest excites students about saving energy and inspires them to learn more about the topic. Once informed, school children retain the information throughout their lives, and spread their enthusiasm to other members of their households. Winning suggestions in prior contests have ranged from “Ask if the janitors could install thermostats that you can program so that the temperature can be turned down at night and on weekends when nobody is in the building,” from Samantha Richard, a 5th grader at George E. Jack Elementary in Standish, to “Be a fan of windmills,” from Megan Seward, a 6th grader at Presque Isle Middle School.

To help students come up with ideas for the contest and to learn about energy efficiency, they can visit PowerSleuth at http://www.powersleuth.org (PowerSleuth is a new FREE curriculum series that is available to all Maine Teachers, and is designed to engage students through inquiry-based experiences, addressing different aspects of energy in Maine).

Students are encouraged to submit 1 or 2 tips for saving energy in their homes and schools. Contest entries must be postmarked or e-mailed by November 13, 2009 to Joy Adamson, Efficiency Maine Educational Program Manager, 18 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0018 or joy.adamson@maine.gov with the words “Energy Contest” in the subject line. Please remind students to include their name, school, school address, teacher’s name, and grade level with their submission. Winners will be chosen on Monday, November 30, 2009 and the Governor will present the contest winners with solar-powered iPod Nanos, at a special award ceremony in December.

Efficiency Maine is a statewide program of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. It promotes more efficient use of electricity, helping Maine businesses and residents reduce energy costs, and improving Maine’s environment.

Good luck to all participating students!