You down with O.E.P.?(Yeah you know me!)

Westerville South High School students reduce their energy footprint with the help of the

Ohio Energy Project (OEP) and Columbia Gas of Ohio!

Aislynn Valentine - Grades 11-12 Ecology classes - 2015-2016 school year

Goal of the Energy UnitDevelop energy-literate citizens who are able to make informed decisions about energy efficiency and consumption in their personal and professional lives.

Lessons focused on helping students learn:ズ How energy transforms from one form to anotherズ The various sources of energy productionズ The impact of energy use on the environmentズ Strategies to reduce energy consumption

ズ Energy Sources Relayズ Light Bulb or Heat Bulb activitiesズ Insulation and Air Leaks activitiesズ Heating and Cooling activitiesズ Appliances and Energy activities

e3Smart Program activities and resources used:ズ ENERGY SAVERS Booklets ズ NEED Energy Infobooksズ “Introduction to Energy” activitiesズ “A Day in My Life: Energy

Transformations” activitiesズ Home Energy Audit

ズ Energy Synopsis activitiesズ Journal Entry Reflection

Questionsズ Pre- and Post-Polls ズ Energy Savings Kits from

Columbia Gas

Highlights: Intro to Energy Activitiesズ “Energy Efficiency Top 5”

ﾖ 5 areas of energy savings were projected on the screen ﾖ Groups of 3-4 to put them in order, writing their responses on a whiteboard

for evaluation and feedbackﾖ A representative from each group placed one energy savings card in its

correct position on the listﾖ Students learned which areas have a greater impact on improving energy

efficiency than others

ズ “A Day in My Life: Energy Transformations” Activityﾖ Students evaluated daily energy use and assigned relative energy points,

comparing to other classmatesﾖ Groups of 3-4 work on energy transformations for common activities, using

symbols to represent the various forms of energy and arrows to represent the transformations

ﾖ Responses written on whiteboard for evaluation and feedbackﾖ Students learned how energy from a battery or outlet is transformed to fulfill our

daily energy needs

Highlights: Insulation & Water Heating Activitiesズ Insulation Experiment

ﾖ Student groups measured the effectiveness of various insulatorsﾖ Materials tested: wool sock, cotton sock, saran wrap, plastic bag, aluminum foil,

styrofoam, paper bag, un-insulated beaker (experimental control)ﾖ Students observed that an insulated beaker demonstrates less heat loss than a non-

insulated beaker, and that some insulators were more effective than others ﾖ Students learned the importance of insulation in boosting energy efficiency, and the

effectiveness of various types of insulation

ズ Water Heating and Energy Experimentﾖ Students tested the water temperature and flow rate at various

locations throughout the school, comparing data at different locations

ﾖ Students learned the value of using aerators to reduce water use, and that our school water temperature is set fairly low in all areas but the kitchen, likely in order to conserve energy (reduce costs)

Highlights: Appliances and Energy Synopsis Activitiesズ Testing the Energy Used by Electric Appliances Activity

ﾖ Using Kill A WattTM Electricity Usage Monitors, students investigated the energy use and estimated yearly cost of a variety of appliances

ﾖ Appliances tested: CFL lightbulb, LED bulb, incandescent lightbulb, hot plate, microwave, fish tank filter, lava lamp, Christmas lights, curling iron, blow dryer, box fan, cell phone charger, laptop computer

ﾖ Students learned that energy from the outlet is transformed into a variety of forms, with heat-related processes requiring the greatest amount of energy. They also learned which household items cost the most each year

ズ Energy Source Relayﾖ As part of our review for the energy unit, students tested their knowledge of the top 10 energy sources in a

fast-paced, team-oriented relay race

Evaluation: Special Thanks to:Ohio Energy Project

Columbia Gas of Ohio

National Energy Education Development Project (NEED)

Westerville Electric Division (CFL lightbulbs donation)

ズ 44 Energy Kits supplied to students in 2 class sections of Ecology

ズ 23 activities and assignments performed over a 3-week period

ズ 27% increase in knowledge about energy from Pre-poll to Post-poll assessments

ﾖ (Average score of 8.78 grew to 14.24 out of 20)

ズ 55% of online Family Installation Surveys completed