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"Green Groups" getting started at WES, NPE and SRS
"Green Groups" getting started at WES, NPE and SRS
During the 2013-2014 school year, a small group of fifth graders at each of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District elementary schools is meeting weekly to learn about climate change and discuss how their families can reduce their impact on the planet.
One high school student - along with the school's enrichment teacher - is working with each group of fifth graders to help the students measure and track their families' energy consumption.
"I'm learning as much as the fifth graders," said Strath Haven senior Frances Murray. Frances, who is working with WES enrichment teacher Debbie Wile, is leading the WES "Green Group" as part of her Environmental Science Independent Study. High school seniors Alleigh McGaffin and Eve Atkins are working with the students in NPE enrichment teacher Bernadette Kutufaris' and SRS enrichment teacher Jennifer Conahan's classes, respectively.
During the week of November 11, the three enrichment teachers participated in the Keystone Energy Education Program, a full-day seminar sponsored by the PA Department of Environmental Protection. The teachers left with 100 energy-saving kits, compliments of PECO.
"When we opened the boxes in class, it was like Christmas," said Ms. Wile. "The students will be using the CFL bulbs and low-flow shower heads and other energy saving devices to cut their families' energy costs. And we're looking forward to tracking those savings with aFewSteps' Green Groups software."
The three school grroups will be beta testing aFewSteps' Green Group energy tracking software starting in December.
One high school student - along with the school's enrichment teacher - is working with each group of fifth graders to help the students measure and track their families' energy consumption.
"I'm learning as much as the fifth graders," said Strath Haven senior Frances Murray. Frances, who is working with WES enrichment teacher Debbie Wile, is leading the WES "Green Group" as part of her Environmental Science Independent Study. High school seniors Alleigh McGaffin and Eve Atkins are working with the students in NPE enrichment teacher Bernadette Kutufaris' and SRS enrichment teacher Jennifer Conahan's classes, respectively.
During the week of November 11, the three enrichment teachers participated in the Keystone Energy Education Program, a full-day seminar sponsored by the PA Department of Environmental Protection. The teachers left with 100 energy-saving kits, compliments of PECO.
"When we opened the boxes in class, it was like Christmas," said Ms. Wile. "The students will be using the CFL bulbs and low-flow shower heads and other energy saving devices to cut their families' energy costs. And we're looking forward to tracking those savings with aFewSteps' Green Groups software."
The three school grroups will be beta testing aFewSteps' Green Group energy tracking software starting in December.