Contact: Vernon Kimball

Tel: (970) 946-9343

Email: vkimball@need.org

Energy education programming in Wyoming continues with support from Encana, ConocoPhillips, Wyoming BOCES, Wyoming Ag in the Classroom, and other energy organizations. Wyoming educators attend teacher training workshops, and interact with Encana energy professionals. Workshops include tours of Encana operations with the opportunity to see natural gas exploration and development first-hand. In Summer 2011, teachers will participate in the Wyoming Energy Super Tour hosted by Encana, BOCES, and NEED to explore energy facilities in Wyoming and engage in content instruction and hands-on explorations to take back to their classrooms.

Teachers can access NEED curriculum online. As resources are available, teacher workshops and hands-on kits are available. Individual state curriculum correlations are available here.

NATIONAL SENIOR LEVEL ROOKIE SCHOOL OF THE YEAR FINALIST

Torrington High School

Torrington, WY

Project Title: Green is the New Pink

Project Adviser: Jennifer Hayes

In our first year of Green Club, we have created and participated in many energy-related activities. First, we learned about alternative, greener energy sources, and conserving energy. Also, representatives of Green Club partook in a workshop called “Poop-to-Power” and learned about renewable energy and the process of gasification. With our new knowledge we were able to plan energy efficient events. One event was to hang posters and stickers that inform others of the importance of recycling. We also placed recycling bins around our school and at sporting events. Green Week within our school was designed to promote green living. One event was Carpool Day, and students were encouraged to carpool during lunch to conserve gas. During the year we also completed a school energy audit, and members of Green Club talked to school administration to discuss possible changes for a “greener”, more energy- efficient school. Recently we adopted a highway, and cleaned two miles of Wyoming Highway 156. Our efforts cleared ditches of trash and items that could be harmful to animals, and we recycled much of the trash we found. To finish off our year, we still have upcoming events including a community clean-up and tree planting.