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Our goal as members of Project Illuminate is to educate the youth of our community about energy conservation and the future of energy resources. As a part of the Environmental Leadership Program at the University of Oregon, Project Illuminate consists of four undergraduate students interested in energy management and environmental education. During the Winter Term of 2007, we visited three different fifth grade classes; two at Gilham Elementary School and one at Meadowlark Elementary School. During the week we spent one hour each day in the classroom discussing how energy is produced, maintained, and conserved. For more information on some of the aspects of our curriculum, please look at our In The Classroom page.
The members of Project Illuminate each profiled a local business that is known for its leading role in energy conservation and sustainability. Each business was presented to the students who in turn voted for the most energy responsible business; the winning business received the Energy Pioneers For a Cleaner Future award. The enthusiasm in this project by both teachers and students has resulted in a continuation of the program into the Spring term of 2007. Our hope is that the Energy Pioneers award will continue to generate interest from schools and businesses, and that it will prompt further energy conservation efforts throughout the community.