Students at heritage and Genoa middle schools are learning to become wise consumers of energy, while at the same time helping their families save money by reducing energy waste at home. Many pupils are participating in the Be E3 Smart Program, sponsored by Columbia Gas of Ohio.
Students participating in the program are learning about energy forms, sources, transformation, conservation, consumption and efficiency. Along with instruction, students receive free energy saving items including energy efficient showerheads and faucet aerators. Energy efficient showerheads and aerators reduce the amount of water and natural gas used, without sacrificing comfort.
Other items in the students’ energy efficiency kits include weather-stripping and a door sweep. Additionally, students receive natural gas safety information, including a scratch and sniff card with mercaptan scent, which is the rotten egg type smell found in natural gas.
Participating teachers receive free training, a curriculum aligned to Ohio science standards, and classroom instructional supplies, including flow meter bags to capture water usage, thermometers, radiometers, and educational games.
The Ohio Energy Project developed the curriculum for the Be E3 Smart Program. Columbia Gas of Ohio offers a variety of programs designed to help its residential and small business customers save energy and money on their energy bills, while maintaining the comfort of their homes and businesses and doing something positive for the environment at the same time.