2010 Igniting Creative Energy competition launched
Submitted by National Energy Foundation press release
2010-01-19 16:59:27
Students throughout North America can win a trip to Washington D.C., $1,000 for their school, or other prizes by submitting their creative energy ideas to the ninth annual Igniting Creative Energy (ICE) Challenge. National Energy Foundation (NEF) and Johnson Controls (JCI), the global leader in providing energy efficient solutions in buildings, invites students – kindergarten to 12th graders – to submit innovative ideas on energy and the environment to the national competition.
The ICE Challenge is a program developed by National Energy Foundation and Johnson Controls to encourage students to share creative ideas that save energy and help conserve the environment.
Since 2002, more than 13,000 students have participated for a chance to win national and state prizes, including a grand prize trip to Washington D.C., MP3 players and $1,000 grants for their schools. This year, all qualifying submissions received before the early bird deadline of January 30, 2010 will be eligible to win one of several prizes that promote living in a more sustainable manner.
Bob Poulson, president of the National Energy Foundation says "The Igniting Creative Energy Challenge aligns with our mission to cultivate and promote energy literacy and encourage future energy leaders. It provides participants an opportunity to make a positive impact in their communities through environmental and energy awareness."
National Students winners will win one of three grand prize trips to the United States Energy Efficiency Forum (EEF) in Washington D.C. At the Forum, the students will share their winning projects with national leaders and energy policymakers. Additionally, one teacher with more than 15 qualifying entries and the highest average score of student work will be named the national teacher winner and awarded a trip to the EEF. Established in 1990 and co-sponsored by Johnson Controls and the United States Energy Association, the EEF aims to advance energy efficiency issues as part of a broader campaign to raise energy awareness.
The ICE challenge also recognizes individual state and province winners when more than 25 qualifying entries from that state or province. These winners will receive local recognition and a $1,000 grant to their school on the student’s behalf.
Marilyn Hamot Ryan, the 2009 national teacher winner believes the program is a great way to engage students and teachers on the importance of energy conservation. "Encouraging my students to enter the ICE challenge two years ago was the springboard I needed to not only to educate my students about energy efficiency and the environment, but also empower them to embrace creative solutions for tomorrow’s energy needs."
Qualifying entries should demonstrate an understanding of what an individual, family or group can do in their home, school or community to conserve energy and help the environment. Students may choose to express their ideas in any creative format including science projects, essays, stories, artwork, photographs, music, videos, Web-based applications and multimedia projects. Recent service projects may also be submitted.
"The ICE Challenge reinforces that energy efficiency has never been more important," said Gwenn McDaniel, K-12 solutions sales director, Johnson Controls. "The program elevates environmental stewardship to the next level by engaging youth to develop creative ideas to make a long-term impact on their communities."
National Energy Foundation is a unique 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and cultivating an energy literate society through educational programs. NEF recognizes the importance and contribution of natural resources to our economy, national security, environment and quality of life.
Visit www.nef1.org to find out more about NEF.
Johnson Controls is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings.
For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/