Energy Ambassadors: Grades 9 - 12

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About the program

Energy Ambassadors is an awareness, action and leadership program about energy sustainability for grades 9 to 12. The program was developed and implemented by BC Hydro in partnership with school districts. The program has three main goals:

• To educate students and the school community about the link between energy use and the need to conserve resources for the future.
• To explore the issues of sustainability, stewardship and the environment.
• To give students opportunities to demonstrate leadership, teamwork and citizenship through energy conservation activities.

Find out what teachers are saying about our programs:

• Watch the video

How the program works

A sponsor teacher puts together the Energy Ambassadors team composed of interested students, a school administrator and a facilities mentor (someone from the school district facilities department). A BC Hydro facilitator provides training and materials at the first workshop as well as on-going support for the team during the remainder of the program.

Student teams investigate energy use in their school district and develop an action plan to make their school district more energy efficient and sustainable.

As part of Energy Ambassadors, student teams can choose from the following action plan options:

• Prepare and deliver presentations at assemblies in secondary and elementary schools.
• Develop and deliver campaigns to inspire energy conservation action in schools or in the community.
• Prepare and deliver energy action workshops to students in elementary classes.
• Work with the Facilities Mentor to identify a project to improve energy efficiency in the school district.

Facilities Mentors

Mentors from the school district's Facilities Department fulfill an important role in the Energy Ambassadors program. Mentors provide technical support around energy use in the school and school district and support students to develop and implement their energy action plans.

Before the student teams embark on action plans they interview the mentor to develop an understanding of how the schools function. Mentors provide a "behind the scenes" look into energy operations with school walk-through inspections, and support the teams to develop their presentations.

Share the results

After students have completed their action plans, it's time to share the results with the community. BC Hydro provides a second workshop where school teams review the results of their action plans and develop a presentation. Student teams can make presentations to:

• School District Boards of Education
• Parent Advisory Committees
• School assemblies
• Community groups

What's in it for students?

• Make a difference. By helping others improve their energy use, you can help make your school more energy efficient and sustainable.
• Develop technical skills. By working with the facilities mentor, you'll learn to measure energy use, identify energy-savings projects and learn about new technologies.
• Gain teamwork and leadership skills. You'll get training and practice in working with others, coming up with creative ideas, developing plans and leading campaigns for change.
• Get school credit. Your participation in Energy Ambassadors may count toward the Graduation Transitions requirement (including the 30-hour work experience) and meet some of the requirements for Planning 10.
• Have fun. You'll get to hang out with other students who care about the environment and – more important – celebrate together!

What's in it for school communities?

• A greener and more sustainable school. By increasing people's energy awareness and conservation actions, plus identifying concrete ways to improve the building's energy use, Energy Ambassadors helps schools become more environmentally responsible and contribute to action on climate change.
• Greater awareness. The program shows people why their energy use matters and how to use energy more wisely. This not only helps the school but also allows people to apply those attitudes and habits outside school, for even greater change.
• Future leaders. By sharing your knowledge and ideas with people in your school district, Energy Ambassadors inspire others to take action.
• Broader conservation. Once people get into the energy conservation habit, they start seeing other possibilities – water, fuel, paper, packaging.... This could be the beginning of a green revolution in your school!

For more information about Energy Ambassadors, please call BC Hydro School Programs at 604 736 7424.