Adair Co. students use video to fight “Energy Vampires”
UPDATE: On Wednesday, April 12 was the STLP State Championship. Out of 578 groups competing in the showcase projects the Adair County Group made it to the top 10. They brought home a trophy that said “Best Showcase Project–Top Ten Runner Up 2017,” and just missed out on going to Nationals.
When it comes to finding ways to save energy, you can learn a lot from a group of second-graders at Adair County Primary Center in Columbia.
Under the direction of Laura Marcum, leader of the school’s Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP), the students created a video that highlights several ways we can all cut down on energy use.
“The kids wanted to do something to make a difference in the world,” Marcum said. “I asked them questions to help guide them but they brainstormed, did the research, made the decisions, selected parts, and did the taping and editing.”
The video, 12 Easy Ways to Save the Planet, took several weeks to produce, and Marcum said not only did the children learn more about energy saving, they learned that making videos takes a considerable amount of work.
“They found out that movie-making is not as easy as they thought,” Marcum said. “There was a lot of giggling and a whole lot of retakes.”
The project echoes the energy conservation and education efforts of Taylor County RECC, the electric cooperative that serves the school.
“We are thrilled that these students have not only heard the message, but are so creative in getting the word out to an even wider audience,” said Barry Myers, Taylor County RECC manager. “These students are our members, and maybe a few of them could someday be our employees. It looks like they have a very bright future.”
Myers noted that in addition to its education efforts, Taylor County RECC offers rebates and incentive programs to encourage members to become more energy efficient.
The students’ project has taken on a life of its own. The project scored high enough to reach the STLP Regional Showcase in April. And the students have taught mini-lessons to all the classrooms in the school, placing special emphasis on what an “energy vampire” is and how to find them in your home.
Watch the video below to find exactly what is an energy vampire. The kids even made an energy vampire checklist for students in their school and parents to do as a family project.
Get your “Energy Vampire Checklist” here.
Now, the work of these 14 students is being recognized across the globe. The video has been shared numerous times on social media channels like Facebook and YouTube, each time asking people to share what part of the country, even the world, they saw the video. As of early March, the video has been commented on by people in 41 states and 17 countries.
Here are just a few comments on Youtube:
“This project started out with plans to make an impact on our school and local community. It has blown my mind the kind of impact it has made going across the country and around the world,” Marcum said. “My own child has gone home and pointed out the energy vampires in our home and my husband has reminded me about taking shorter showers. If the points made in our project have had a lasting effect on my own family then I hope it may have a lasting effect on others as well. “
