Energy education program reaches 2,300 students in 2023
Local program to continue in Fort Collins for the 2023-24 school year
FORT COLLINS, Colo., – Building upon its pilot program in 2022, the Think! Energy with Efficiency Works education program achieved significant success in 2023, engaging more than 2,300 fourth grade students in Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, exceeding the goal set for 2023.
A total of 17 schools in the Poudre School District participated in the program, engaging more than 1,000 students in the Fort Collins area.
“Our central idea is that energy is a force that creates change and patterns in our world,” say Sara Porter, Terra Willard and Kristen Anderson, fourth grade teachers at McGraw Elementary School. “The students were enthusiastic opening their energy kits. They made many meaningful connections to energy and were eager to share what they learned with their families through the energy kits. We appreciate the opportunity to explore energy conservation in more depth with our classes.”
The program’s curriculum included interactive activities to teach students about energy sources (including renewable energy), presentations on how energy and water is used in our daily lives and tips on how to conserve energy and water. Each participating student received a conservation kit, which included LED light bulbs, faucet aerators and a high efficiency showerhead. The students were encouraged to install these items in their homes, experiencing firsthand the impact of efficient choices.
“The energy industry is evolving every day as we work towards a cleaner energy future,” said Bryce Brady, who oversees Efficiency Works programs as the Energy Solutions Manager at Platte River Power Authority. “Platte River understands that the success of this evolution depends on partnerships and education. This program exemplifies the power of partnerships and how important education will be to sustain the shift to a cleaner energy future.”
The collaboration between Platte River Power Authority, Fort Collins Utilities and the Poudre School District was critical to the program’s success. The Think! Energy with Efficiency Works program will continue for fourth grade students in the 2023-24 school year.
Efficiency Works programs are available to residential or commercial customers of Estes Park Power and Communications, Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications and Loveland Water and Power. To learn more about how you can participate, contact your utility or visit www.EfficiencyWorks.org.
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Efficiency Works
Efficiency Works unites the energy efficiency offerings of the northern Colorado utilities of Estes Park Power and Communications, Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications, Loveland Water and Power, and Platte River Power Authority. Efficiency Works offers a variety of products and services to help customers save energy, water and money.
Fort Collins Utilities
Fort Collins Utilities is a community-owned utility that manages four essential services for the City of Fort Collins – Light & Power, Water, Wastewater and Stormwater – serving more than 75,000 customers. The City of Fort Collins is a leader in the transition to sustainable and resilient local energy systems to serve the community’s 2050 carbon-neutral future. For more information, visit fcgov.com/utilities.
Platte River Power Authority
Platte River Power Authority is a not-for-profit, community-owned public power utility that generates and delivers safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado, for delivery to their utility customers.
