It has been two months since summer intern, Dana Rubin, launched the Energy Efficiency after school club in Holyoke, MA.  Located in the resource section on the CEA website, are the activities that Dana has been piloting to the 11-13 year old environmentalists at Peck Middle School. So far the students have learned about water conservation, compact fluorescent lighting and the benefits to contributing time to their local community.  The group is enthusiastic and ready to make small changes in their lives to make a big difference all together.

Most recently,  students undertook designing light-switch covers that were  posted around the school, to inform their peers and teachers about the importance of turning off the lights when leaving a room. In the weeks to come, the students will investigate passive energy, compost and recycling guidelines, and wind and sun energy.

Dana shares that piloting this program in Holyoke has been a great opportunity; the students give great advice about how they enjoyed the days’ lesson and have great ideas about what we all should do to reduce our energy footprint. On the first day, the youngsters made their own journals out of recycled paper and twine. Each time the club meets, the students journal one goal to accomplish during the week.  The kids are challenging themselves to turn the water off when they brush their teeth, take shorter showers, close the refrigerator promptly and remember to turn off their electronics.

Join the kids of Holyoke by writing your own Eco-Goal Journal. The smallest behavior changes make the largest differences. Stay tuned for more updates from Western, Mass!