Smart Grid LIVE conference in Fort Collins, CO

 Over the next few years, our increased reliance on new energy sources and the ways that we receive and use power will create many new opportunities for work and study in the energy sector. During Smart Grid LIVE in Fort Collins, Colorado, from September 25–27, 2012, high school students and teachers alike will have the unique opportunity to discover how the natural energy sources we use will communicate with our homes, vehicles, and businesses to meet the energy needs of our future. Students will learn this through a smart grid simulation and a fun but informative presentation by an international leader in energy technologies.

Videos: 

• What is Smart Grid?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8cM4WfZ_Wg

• Mad Science: Smart Grid  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93YM0PNFgSs

 

Denver Public Schools 8th Grade Career Fair Takes Charge!

On October 10, 2012 Take Charge! will be at the Denver Public Schools’ 8^th Grade career fair doing outreach and training students on energy efficiency and renewable energy resources.

Energy efficiency and renewable energy resources for Denver, Colorado:

• ·         Xcel Energy : http://www.xcelenergy.com/?stateSelected=true

• ·         Renewable Energy Sources in Denver

• ·         Green Team Project:  http://www.greenteamproject.org/Denverenergy2.htm

Green jobs resources for Denver, Colorado:

• ·         CRES Jobs/Trainings:  http://www.cres-energy.org/jobs/

• ·         Tri State Jobs:  http://www.tristategt.org/careers.cfm

• ·         Denver County Workforce Centers:

• ·         Green Careers in Colorado:  www.greencareersco.com

Local organizations, clubs, and schools focused on community service and/or energy:

• ·         Groundwork Denver:   www.groundworkdenver.org

• ·         Earth Justice:   http://earthjustice.org/

• ·         Volunteer Match: 

• ·         Bike Denver:  http://www.bikedenver.org/

• ·         Mile High Youth Corps:  http://www.milehighyouthcorps.org/

• ·         LiveWell Colorado:  http://movement.livewellcolorado.org/

BRING TAKE CHARGE TO YOUR SCHOOL!

WHAT IS TAKE CHARGE!?

A youth outreach and education project funded through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s State Energy Sector Partnership.

BOOK A FREE TAKE CHARGE! ASSEMBLY

Email Stephanie@GroundworkColorado.org  or call 303-455-5600

ABOUT TAKE CHARGE! SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES

Take Charge! has outreach representatives throughout the entire state of Colorado.  These Take Charge! staff members give educational and  interactive presentations on energy efficiency, renewable  energy, green jobs and service learning to Take Charge!

QUESTIONS THAT WE WILL ANSWER FOR YOUR STUDENTS IN OUR PRESENTATION

Why is the green jobs industry growing?

What types of skills are required to get a green job?

What green jobs are available in Colorado?

What are our renewable energy sources?

How is energy generated and transmitted?

What does Colorado’s energy consumption look like?

How do we use energy in our homes and schools?

How can we Take Charge! in our communities?

How much energy do we waste?

How can we save energy?

What is wind power?

What is solar power?

What is geothermal power?

What is biomass power?

What is a green job?

TAKE CHARGE! IN COMMERCE CITY THIS OCTOBER

Groundwork Denver’s Take Charge! program is coming to Commerce City on Saturday, October 15, 2011 for a day of service. We’ll be partnering with Adam’s County Education Consortium (ACEC) to expand awareness of energy conservation resources like home energy assessments, which can help folks save money and live greener. To make the kind of impact we want, we’ll need 100 students to join us, and that means we need you! Email TakeCharge@GroundworkColorado.org if you want to get involved!

ACEC works with Adams County school districts, post secondary education institutions, local governments, community-based organizations and the business community to create personalized academic skills development, career exploration and employee skills for all learner groups in Adams County. For more information visit their website at http://www.adamscountyeducation.org.

Links to local energy conservation and green jobs resources:
United Power
Adams County Workforce Center
Xcel Energy

TAKE CHARGE! IN COLORADO SPRINGS THIS OCTOBER

Groundwork Denver’s Take Charge! program will come to Colorado Springs on Saturday, October 8, 2011 for a day of service. We’ll be partnering with Colorado College’s EnAct club, Colorado College’s Center for Service and Learning, Stratmoor Community Center, Colorado Springs Utility, and the City of Colorado Springs to expand awareness of energy conservation resources like home energy assessments, which can help folks save money and live greener. To make the kind of impact we want, we’ll need 100 students to join us, and that means we need you!  Email TakeCharge@GroundworkColorado.org if you are interested in getting involved!

EnAct, the longest running student group on campus, focuses on raising environmental and social awareness at Colorado College and within the Colorado Springs community. It’s an umbrella organization that gives students the resources to pursue the environmental and social projects they value, alongside others who share the same goals. Previous EnAct projects include: celebrating Earth Week; developing the college's present recycling program; researching regional environmental issues like mid-west climate change; and bringing in speakers to educate students on current environmental issues. In 1991, EnAct instituted the Timothy Linnemann Memorial Lecture on the Environment. EnAct is open to anyone passionate about the environment. For more information, go to http://www.coloradocollege.edu/students/enact.

Links to local energy conservation and green jobs resources:
Colorado Springs Utilities
Energy Resource Center of Colorado
Pikes Peak Workforce Center

TAKE CHARGE! IN PUEBLO THIS SEPTEMBER

Groundwork Denver’s Take Charge! program is coming to Pueblo on Saturday, September 24, 2011 for a day of service. We’ll be partnering with Colorado State University at Pueblo’s Upward Bound program to expand awareness of energy conservation resources like home energy assessments, which can help folks save money and live greener. To make the kind of impact we want, we’ll need 100 students to join us, and that means we need you! Email TakeCharge@GroundworkColorado.org if you want to get involved!

Upward Bound is a program that helps prepare high school students for college. The organization helps young people to develop the skills and motivation necessary to succeed in higher education. Participants receive tutoring in literature, composition, foreign languages, mathematics and science. Participants also get involved with cultural events, obtain assistance with college preparation, financial aid, scholarships and career development. Pueblo’s Upward Bould program helps almost 100 students annually. There are currently more than 650 programs in operation throughout the United States.

Visit the Upward Bound website at http://www.colostate-pueblo.edu/studentservices/Pages/UpwardBound.aspx.

Links to local energy conservation and green jobs resources:
Pueblo County Weatherization Program
Black Hills Energy
Pueblo Workforce Center
Pueblo Community College

INVITE A TAKE CHARGE! SPEAKER TO YOUR EVENT

Are you interested in learning about energy and education, service learning, youth projects with measurable environmental impacts, and building community? Are you interested in having someone come to you to speak about energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green jobs? If you answered yes, contact Stephanie@GroundworkColorado to book a speaking engagement today.

Stephanie Fry has conducted over 200 community outreach events, and since 2006 has focused on helping schools, workforce centers, corporations, and nonprofits organize outreach efforts to create measurable impacts for the benefit of communities. At Groundwork Colorado, Stephanie is responsible for reaching out to communities regarding energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green jobs.

With funding from the Colorado Department of Labory and Employment, Groundwork Colorado will reach out to over 35,000 Colorado residents. Groundwork Colorado will train over 1000 high school and college students on the "green" industries. Then, these students will conduct the energy outreach in 25 - 30 Colorado communities from 2011 - 2012.

We invite you to Take Charge!

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado - November Cairn Project

On November 13, the high school students in the Cairn Youth Program spent the day working with Groundwork Colorado, a nonprofit which brings environmental improvements and resources to neighborhoods across the city.

Cairn students spent the morning at the VOC office examining their own energy use and learning about different energy sources. In the afternoon, they paired up and canvassed the Englewood neighborhood, replacing porch light bulbs with compact florescent light bulbs at no cost, and distributing resources about home weatherizing, recycling, and green jobs. In just two hours, the students reached 97 households and replaced 64 bulbs, which equals 7,680 lbs of CO2 emissions reduced!

Learn more about the Cairn Youth Program: http://bit.ly/cdLsHV.

Energy Education Resources for the Classroom

Energy Calculator: Energy Kids Web-site
Long Term Program: The Go Green Initiative
Online Energy Education Resource Library: Green Schools Web-site

Click on this photo and print to play this fun energy efficient board game with your students!

Energy Service Corps' Energy Assessment Music Video

Watch a music video created by New Jersey's Energy Service Corps to see what type of work is being done in Colorado and in other states!

Take Charge! TODAY

Brought to you by: U.S. Department of Energy

HELP SAVE ENERGY FOR TOMORROW
There are all kinds of excuses for not saving energy at home. But if we all just did some simple things, we could be way more efficient and save money too. Let’s use our resources more wisely. Get an Energy Action Plan for your family today.

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Energy Action Ideas for Kids

Go to http://www.loseyourexcuse.gov/ to create an energy action plan with your students!

In a national survey of kids ages 8-12, 85 percent of respondents believed that they could lead their family to do what is needed to consume less energy in the home. The U.S. Department of Energy and the Ad Council have partnered together to launch a new kid-targeted campaign entitled Whats Your Excuse? highlighting the simplicity of making energy efficient changes in the home and asking kids to join millions of others to make a difference by using their energy wisely.



The PSAs direct tweens to an interactive website www.loseyourexcuse.gov where they can download the Energy Action plan and learn fun, simple tips on energy efficient behaviors and new technological advances to reduce energy consumption in the home.

www.loseyourexcuse.gov