During the March 1, 2023 virtual workshop, “Students Working Together: Energy Actions at School,” presenters Jake Selseth and Alexis Troschinetz from Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) taught middle school and high school students from central and western MN about ways their YES! team can help their school become more energy efficient.
Jake kicked off the workshop with an introduction to energy use and efficiency. Students then searched for examples of energy waste and energy savers during a Classroom Energy Hunt activity. After groups shared the results of their hunt, Alexis talked about ideas for team projects and programs with funding to complete energy projects at school. Participants were encouraged to “Ask CERTs Anything About Energy;” students took advantage of the opportunity by asking Jake and Alexis questions about the transition to electric vehicles.
This valuable learning experience had practical applications for YES! teams. “We are implementing many energy efficiency measures at our school so this helps!” explained Heidi Auel, YES! Coach at Discovery Woods in Brainerd.
The Energy Actions at School Virtual Workshop was organized by YES! Coordinator Deb Groebner. YES! is a program of Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center in partnership with Ney Nature Center. Major support for YES! comes from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), and the National Science Foundation Grant 2147839 with UMN Institute on the Environment.
