Energy Education Outreach Program  

The Energy Education Outreach Program provides assistance to schools in setting up student-involved energy projects and develops energy-related educational materials. Over 3,500 Texas schools have enrolled in the Watt Watchers Program, training and empowering school children to have an impact on their school's energy consumption. Additionally, Texas schools are operating over 105,000 computers under the Power Management program, providing a potential savings of 33,064,000 kwh and $2,330,000.

WATT WATCHERS

Watt Watchers of Texas is sponsored by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office/Comptroller of Public Accounts and the U.S. Department of Energy. Watt Watchers is spreading all across Texas because it is a proven method of promoting energy conservation habits and reducing school energy bills. Lighting accounts for 25 to 40% of energy use in schools. Our energy future depends on decisions students will make about energy use. This program gives students an opportunity to make a difference by doing something for their schools, now.

Watt Watchers of Texas is a free energy efficiency program for Texas schools sponsored by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office/Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Department of Energy. The program is designed to help school districts save energy and money by getting students involved. It is simple and effective! Students patrol the halls of the schools reducing energy waste by turning off lights and leaving tickets for empty classrooms with the lights on. Turning out the lights in a classroom during two unoccupied hours per day (lunch & after school) can save $50 over a school year.

Turning off lights may sound trivial but it is one of the best ways to cut school energy use. For example, if one teacher changes his or her habits and remembers to turn out the lights when the class goes to lunch and recess, the school will have a $50 savings each school year by cutting waste for two hours in one classroom. Additionally, you will be doing your part to reduce pollution because there would be no generation of that electricity, the 933 pounds of carbon dioxide (the main global warming culprit), 7.95 pounds of sulphur dioxides, and 3.43 pounds of nitrogen oxides.

How to get started?
Sign up for a free kit. Call 1-888-USWATTS or go online to Watt Watchers Online to enroll. Once you enroll in the program you will receive a free kit which includes a set of 4 Watt Watchers binders, 4 name badges and 4 name tags with 4 lanyards, 4 pencils, a complete 34 page instruction manual on disk, forms, sample tickets and thank you notes. Everything you need -- open your kit and get started today! Not only will your school be provided with all of the materials listed above (approximately a $25 value), Watt Watchers will provide free support for the program, including:

• WATTS NEWS, a quarterly 20-page newspaper
• Toll-free phone and toll-free fax support line
• E-mail updates with monthly news for Watt Watchers
• Regional workshops
• Educational conferences
• CD-ROM with all the materials
• Five-year lapel pins for dedicated Watt Watchers sponsors
• Certificates for participation and Zero Hero Awards

Watt Watcher Programs
In addition to student energy patrols that find waste and raise awareness Watt Watchers also has additional programs for your school:

• Traveling Energy Exploration Stations - free loans of hands-on kits for classes
• Knowledge is Power - an energy efficiency curriculum supplement
• Sleep Is Good - a computer monitor power management program
• Junior Solar Sprint - a model solar race car project
• Energy Encounter - a one day workshop for high school students
• District Energy Council - students assisting energy managers
• The Weatherization Project - a residential community energy project
• Benchmarking - compare your school district energy use nationally

HIGH SCHOOL ENERGY COUNCIL

In high schools, the Watt Watchers program is called Energy Council. The High School District Energy Council organizes students to assist the district energy manager in promoting energy efficiency awareness in schools.  Students from each high school district form a committee or council led by the energy manager.  The council identifies and implements projects that help the district realize its goals of energy efficiency. 

Student Projects
Students mentored by the energy manager may decide to get involved in a variety of projects: computer power management; implement Watt Watchers district-wide; promote district energy policy; promote energy efficient exit signs; soda-machine audits; and post campus energy data.  Students conduct projects in their own schools and mentor middle and elementary school students in conducting energy projects.  

Leadership Training
Regional Energy Encounters are also available for high school students.  This one-day energy leadership training combines the expertise of energy managers, area energy experts, teachers, and Watt Watchers staff in educating students about energy issues as well as how to conduct projects and promote energy efficiency in their schools and communities. 

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