Energy Ambassadors:
Grades 9 – 12

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About the program

The BC Hydro Energy Ambassadors program is an awareness, action and leadership program about energy sustainability for secondary school students. It is a partnership between school teams, school districts and BC Hydro.

Students are empowered to lead real changes [PDF, 507 Kb] by forming a team with teacher sponsors and district facilities mentors to investigate and identify areas for conservation and sustainable action within the school and district.

Research, communication, energy management and social marketing are the tools of the future – Energy Ambassadors begin developing their skills in these areas through facilitated workshops with a BC Hydro coordinator, while teachers and district mentors are supported, as well, throughout the program.

Workshop One

In the first workshop, students learn about energy use, sustainability, leadership and project management.

• Student teams create a mind map connecting their actions and choices to energy.
• Students discuss concepts of sustainability and how it can be achieved on a local and global scale.
• The Facilities Mentor provides students with a snapshot of energy use in the district and leads a "behind the scenes" tour of the host school.
• School teams explore possible projects and develop an action plan to educate the school community about energy use and the need to conserve resources for the future.

Back at school, the Energy Ambassadors implement their action plans [PDF, 405 Kb] by performing a school energy audit and carrying out activities to raise awareness. BC Hydro provides training, templates and support for students to develop and deliver presentations or assemblies at elementary schools, build behaviour change campaigns and investigate technical energy efficiency projects with the Facilities Mentor.

Workshop Two

In the second workshop, student teams review the outcomes of their action plans and begin developing a presentation for the School Board of Education. BC Hydro provides training in these areas:

• How to create a professional business presentation.
• How to effectively communicate research findings, project outcomes and recommendations.
• How to develop effective public speaking skills.

The culmination of the program is the presentation to the School Board of Education. Students are provided with the opportunity to deliver their presentation highlighting the work they have done to promote energy efficiency and conservation in their district. The Energy Ambassadors program empowers students to be not only leaders of the future, but leaders of today.

What teachers are saying about the program

"My Environment Club members and I really loved the workshop and especially meeting the other students and teachers involved in Environmental awareness in the schools! We met after the workshop to discuss the day and also met with some of the rest of the members of our club to choose an energy audit day. We are also going to make posters that day. We are really excited about the project." – Teacher, Comox Valley School District

"Thank you for the fantastic workshop. The kids and I were very impressed with everything. Thanks to BC Hydro for it. I appreciate the focus on empowerment. That's what our kids need to hear now!" – Teacher, Rocky Mountain School District

What students are saying about the program

"Participating in the BC Hydro Energy Ambassadors program was a great learning experience. I loved sharing ideas with teams from other schools on ways to promote our message, so we can save the planet. By collaborating with other students, I've gathered plenty of ideas for events we can do next year in my school. I'm excited for the new school year. I know we can work harder to accomplish higher goals!" – Student, Burnaby School District

"A highlight of mine was working with the elementary kids. Because it means that, in time, the district will be totally green and environmentally friendly." – Student, Campbell River School District

"I had so much fun this year with Environment Club and Energy Ambassadors! From the very first workshop, I met a bunch of really cool people, and was super pumped to go out and save the planet! My favorite energy project was the energy audit! Sneaking around and going into rooms I didn’t know existed. It was fun!" – Student, Comox Valley School District

"My fondest memory was when I did the presentation at Douglas Road Elementary. It was so much fun! I was surprised with how much the younger kids knew about energy conservation. Although the preparation took time and effort, it was definitely worth it. Thank you for giving me the opportunity, I loved it!" – Student, Burnaby School District

For more information about the program

To find out more about BC Hydro's school programs and how to register, please send us an email with the following information and we will get in touch with you.

• Name
• School
• Grade
• Email

Or call BC Hydro School Programs at 604 736 7424.