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MCEC Solar, Wind, And Watts Youth Education Program Receives Duke Energy Sponsorship

Last updated on Wednesday, March 22, 2017

(BLOOMINGTON) - The Monroe County Energy Challenge (MCEC) has received a grant for $2,760 from Duke Energy to expand its Solar, Wind, and Watts Roadshow in Monroe County.

The Solar, Wind, and Watts Roadshow is a youth energy education program in which the MCEC and high school Environmental Science students from Harmony, Bloomington High School South, and Edgewood High School team up to teach local 2nd through 5th grade students about energy conservation and renewable energy resources. Activities include solar car races, discovering how wind turbines generate electricity, pedaling an energy bike to generate electricity, and exploring the watt demand of common appliances.

"We love the way this program makes energy education hands-on and fun," said Duke Energy Bloomington Community Relations Manager Bruce Calloway. "It's a way to not only inspire young people, both those learning and teaching, but they often share what they learn about energy with their families, too."

The program launched in October 2016 and visited 17 classrooms and over 370 students in 6 weeks. Harmony School students supplied more than 250 volunteer hours, and Cook Medical and CFC Properties donated funds to support the program. With the new grant from Duke Energy, the Roadshow will be expanding to the Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation this spring and aims to reach 1,000 students in MCCSC and RBBCSC in 2017.

"We are excited to offer this fun, innovative energy program to all Monroe County schools," said Mayor John Hamilton. "It's an incredible opportunity for our youth to learn about renewable resources from engaging young teachers and leaders."

The program design incorporates various ages of learners because conducting educational outreach provides the older students with teaching, leadership, and communication experience, and makes the lessons exciting for the younger learners.

The Monroe County Energy Challenge helps our community reduce energy use in order to improve quality of life, minimize environmental impact, and save money. To find out more about the Monroe County Energy Challenge, free home assessments, or to volunteer, visit mocoenergychallenge.org/ or call (812) 349-3558.

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