Buckeye Central 7th and 8th grade students at 'Be E3 Smart'

June 27, 2012

It's not often that homework assignments can help families save energy and money at home, but that was the case for Buckeye Central junior high science students this past year.

The seventh and eighth grade science students took part in a special energy education program called 'Be E3 Smart.' Sponsored by North Central Electric, 'Be E3 Smart' is a program designed to bring math and science learning into the classroom, but also allow students' to take that knowledge home to help reduce energy use.

"Students learned about electricity, efficiency, heat and energy transformation, and then collected, graphed and identified trends," said Buckeye Central's middle school science teacher Marianne Williamson. "Each student received a kit of energy-saving materials for use at home with family participation, allowing students to apply what they've learned in the classroom."

In May, students shared their energy efficiency knowledge with senior citizens in the Buckeye Central community through the schools 'Eye on Education' program. Williamson said approximately 30 seniors attended.

Students kicked off the program with a quick quiz to understand the seniors' knowledge of energy use and conservation. They administered the quiz using the school's smart response clickers, which gives instant results. "I utilize this technology in the classroom requently," said Williamson.

A student PowerPoint presentation provided an overview of the 'Be E3 Smart' program, classroom activities and how they were able to take energy efficiency items home, install the items and track their impact.

Williamson added, "Students shared videos of themselves measuring the water flow of household faucets, measuring hot water temperatures and how to keep the temperature at 120 degrees as well as measuring room temperatures and detecting drafts."

Educational stations for attendees to visit included an appliance energy use game, Utilizing a Smart Board, students compared the loss of thermal energy of a compact fluorescent light bulb to an incandescent bulb using a radiometer and compared the energy use of various appliances with a kilowatt meter.

The program also included games on energy efficiency and energy resources.

'Eye on Education' is a monthly program put on by Buckeye Central middle school students. "Programs were put on by the science, math, social studies, reading and language arts, art, music and Spanish club," said Williamson. "It allows students to showcase what they are learning in the classroom and gives the community a look at the technology being used by students at the school."

'Be E3 Smart' is an award-winning, innovative program launched by Ohio's electric cooperatives - including North Central - in conjunction with the Ohio Energy Project, a nonprofit organization that promotes energy education and leadership through partnerships with schools, businesses and communities.