BWMS get energy curriculum boost from OEP
By LENNY C. LEPOLA
News Assistant Managing Editor
Thanks to the Ohio Energy Project Big Walnut Middle School students are learning to become wise consumers of energy while at the same time helping their families save money by reducing energy waste at home today.
Since the Ohio Energy Project began in 1984 it has been providing complete, objective and comprehensive information on sources and forms of energy, energy efficiency and conservation, and the economic and environmental impact of energy use. AEP Ohio has partnered with the Ohio Energy Project to offer the e3smart℠ Program since 2007, and local energy provider Columbia Gas came on board in 2012.
Middle school science teacher Keri Kotchounian said the ball got rolling when she attended an e3smart℠ Program workshop in Worthington, where the Ohio Energy Project is based.
“I liked it so much, and felt that it works in so well with our academic content standards that I mentioned it to our other science teacher Rich Smith and intervention specialist Kevin Masterson,” Kotchounian said. “Then Be E3 Smart Education Coordinator Chris Dierdurff did a presentation for our teachers.”
Kotchounian said the Be E3 Smart has six modules, including an energy use introduction.
In the module on light and heat bulbs students learn that using just one compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb in the home can save $62 in electricity costs.
In the heating and cooling module students use a liquid crystal thermometer to take heat loss temperatures; in the insulation module they learn about, and how to control, air leaks.
During the water module students tested water temperature and used flow meter bags provided by Columbia Gas to test shower water usage.
The month-long energy and renewable energy curriculum module concluded with energy use by appliances like a home refrigerator and range.
“Ohio Energy Project’s Be E3 Smart program has been really well received,” Kotchounian said. “Our students shared what they learned in school with their parents, and they learned how as they grow older energy will impact their adult lives.”
Along with instruction, each student received free energy savings items like compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to install at home, an LED nightlight, a low-flow shower head, faucet aerators, weather-stripping and a door sweep.
In addition to free training participating teachers also received classroom instructional supplies — including watt meters, lamp bases, thermometers, radiometers, laminated games, and pre– and post-test materials.
For additional information about the Ohio Energy Project and the e3smart℠ Program go to < ohioenergy.org >.