Hundreds of ideas to promote energy conservation from B.C. students!

BC Hydro invited B.C. students from kindergarten through Grade 12 to enter the Team Power Smart Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest and submit their ideas for inspiring others to conserve energy.

The submissions demonstrated that students at all grade levels are aware of resource use and energy conservation issues. They understand the importance of taking action and are making a difference in their school communities.

Thank you to the students and teachers who responded with creative and imaginative suggestions for video, radio, digital story-telling and print PSAs. The following schools have been selected as finalists:

• 100 Mile Elementary (grades 5, 6), 100 Mile House
• Charlie Lake Elementary (grade 3), Charlie Lake
• Delta Manor Elementary (grade 5), Delta
• Fernie Academy (grade 5), Fernie
• Gibsons Elementary (grades 6, 7), Delta
• Greybrook Academy (grade 6), Pitt Meadows
• Grief Point Elementary (grade 7), Powell River
• Mt. Lehman Elementary (mixed grades), Abbotsford (Video below)
• Nelson Elementary (grade 6), Burnaby
• Sir John Franklin Elementary (grades 3 – 7), Vancouver
• Sooke Elementary (grade 4), Sooke
• Steeples Elementary (mixed grades), Cranbrook
• T M Roberts Elementary (grades 4, 5, 6), Cranbrook

The PSA contest goes hand-in-hand with BC Hydro's school programs, which explore issues of sustainability, energy conservation and the environment in a way that encourages students to think about their own energy use habits and how their choices can impact the environment for future generations. Creating energy conservation awareness among the next generation is one of the keys to energy sustainability for our province.

If you have any questions about the PSA contest, please contact us at 604 736 7424.

Check out what other students have done

BC Hydro has a history of contests and initiatives aimed at tapping into student creativity to promote conservation.

Most recently, youth from across B.C. participated in the Invent The Future Contest, submitting videos and essays to promote conservation. And in 2007, dozens of students took part in the Off The Grid video contest.

As part of the Energy Campaigns program, schools across B.C. have also created short movies that showcase their conservation activities. Check out these student-made movies produced through this program:

• Annunciation School, Prince Rupert
  Smarty the conservation mascot and Annunciation students create rhymes to highlight energy-saving tips!
• Chalo School, Fort Nelson
  Chalo students tell us their energy-saving tips with a catchy chant in English, Dene and Cree!
• Donald E MacKay Elementary, Richmond
  This school's message is "You've got the power, so spread the word!"
• Kirkbride Elementary, Surrey
  Students search the school for energy conservation in action and show the connection between saving energy and the environment.
• Maple Grove Gifted Challenge Program, Vancouver
  Creative video techniques and a little bit of drama show the effects of having no energy left … but making Power Smart choices does not mean you have to give up things.
• North Cedar Intermediate, Nanaimo
  Student detectives investigate energy use in different areas of their school. Their quest is to discover people making Power Smart choices.
• Oceanside Middle School, Parksville
  Students sing a catchy song that illustrates how everyone can do their part to help save energy and protect the environment.