2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2010

Colleen Q. Ryan, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 3359;
cqr@nyserda.org

NYSERDA Funds Creative Energy Education Projects in
Classrooms Across New York State

Energy Smart Students Program Supports Teachers in
Educating Students About Energy

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced today that it is awarding $11,200 to 23 innovative projects that will teach students about global climate change and energy efficient behavior.  The awards, which provide up to $500 in funds to K-12 educators, are part of a program that has provided energy education to more than 5,500 educators statewide, benefitting more than 600,000 students in New York State since 2004.

“Educating our youth about energy efficiency and renewable energy will help New York achieve greater energy independence and a stronger clean energy economy in the future,” said Francis J. Murray, Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and energy education is critical for New York to achieve Governor David Paterson’s goals for improving our environment and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.”

The Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Challenge was developed to encourage energy-efficient behavior in school, at home, and in the community. Projects were judged on their creativity and the extent to which they provide students with a leadership role in school and community efforts. Over the past five years, 86 educational projects have been funded. 

The funding was awarded through NYSERDA’s Energy Smart Students Program, which offers free-of-charge workshops to help educators at all levels teach about energy forms and sources, renewable energy, climate change, and the environmental impacts of our energy decisions. Teachers in attendance receive hands-on instruction and earn six staff development hours. Each teacher also receives detailed lesson plans, correlated to the New York State Learning Standards, as well as an assortment of posters and classroom materials. Workshops are held across the state year-round.

To learn more, or to find a complete schedule of energy workshops in your area, visit www.GetEnergySmart.org, call 1-877-NY-SMART (Option 6), or e-mail info@nyess.org.

List of awards

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