Causes and Competitions™
Ahead of the Curve™- Science of Energy and Technology
Highly Gifted Summer Academy, Clark High School, Las Vegas, NV
Course: Ahead of the Curve™ - Science of Energy and Technology
Session: Highly Gifted Summer Academy
Cause: 2013 Boulder City Renewable Energy Research Park
Grade Level: 6th - 8th
Session: Highly Gifted Summer Academy
Cause: 2013 Boulder City Renewable Energy Research Park
Grade Level: 6th - 8th
National Energy Education Development (N.E.E.D.) Youth Awards
Unit: Environmental Warrriors
Sessions: Gifted and Talented Education, 2010-11 and 2011-12
Competition: N.E.E.D. Project Youth Awards
Grade Level: 5th grade
2012 Elementary School Level
State Finalist
Estes McDoniel and Sue Morrow Elementary School, 5th grade
2011 Elementary School Level,
National Winner, School of the Year, Page 53
Sue Morrow Elementary School, 5th grade
Sessions: Gifted and Talented Education, 2010-11 and 2011-12
Competition: N.E.E.D. Project Youth Awards
Grade Level: 5th grade
2012 Elementary School Level
State Finalist
Estes McDoniel and Sue Morrow Elementary School, 5th grade
2011 Elementary School Level,
National Winner, School of the Year, Page 53
Sue Morrow Elementary School, 5th grade
We enjoyed building electrical quiz boards, hydropower turbines, and Solar Houses. We taught classes about recycling, conservation, and energy sources. We created school wide recycling, gardening, and composting programs. We handed out energy efficient light bulbs, created recycled jewelry for fundraisers, and asked everyone to sign the ENERGY STAR Pledge. Southwest Gas did an assembly at our school, where we sang our own energy songs. A local company, Saving Energy Solar, brought a portable solar trailer to our school. We entered their Solar Essay Contest and had three winners! On our field trip to University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s Atomic Testing Museum and Solar Panel sites, we passed out “Energy Saving” brochures and even composted the cores to our apple snacks! A high school student, Joe Woodbury, came to our class to share his Solar Energy Bill and help us create our own. We sent our Solar Bill ideas to Melissa Woodbury, our State Assemblywoman, who agreed to work with us. Learning about Evans Wadongo, who makes solar lamps for poor villages in Kenya, inspired us to make a difference globally. We donated to his cause as well as to the Japan Nuclear Disaster Relief. Leadership is one of the best skills we learned. We understand if we don’t act now, our world will suffer. Give pollution the boot, and give energy a chance!
*After winning the awards, students and their families were invited to travel to Washington D.C. for learning experiences and reward ceremonies.