Get Ready to Change Our 2morrow!

An exciting program is launching in our community to spread the word about energy efficiency, Alcoa-La Porte is partnering with Boston and Kesling Middle Schools to challenge students, parents, and teachers to learn how to use energy more efficiently. Each school has a chance to win a $5,000, $1,000, or $500 grant from Alcoa Foundation. The Change Our 2morrow (CO2) Schools’ Challenge started March 1, 2013 and will end on March 31, 2013.

By helping your students learn more about saving energy and living more sustainably, you can help Boston or Kesling Middle School win a $5,000, $1,000 or $500 grant from Alcoa Foundation. And you just might pick up a few energy and dollar saving tips along the way!

How Do We Win?
Winners will be determined based on the highest number of carbon calculator and pledge list completions as a percentage of the student population. The first place school will receive $5,000, runners-up will receive $1,000, and honorable mention schools will be awarded $500. At least one school in the competing Alcoa communities will win a prize.

How Can You Get Involved?
Visit http://alcoa.c2es.org/footprint/home (click on Alcoa Schools Challenge link below), select your school and complete the carbon calculator (one completion per household). It will quantify your carbon footprint and provide you with a personalized list of recommendations on how to save energy and save money. Encourage parents to make this a family activity and involve students by completing a personal pledge list. Both completions will count toward the total for your school.

What Is Make an Impact?
Make an Impact, a partnership between Alcoa and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, helps employees, their families and surrounding communities reduce energy use, manage their carbon footprint and become an active part of the solution to climate change. The Make an Impact program features a science-based, dynamic website with tips, tools and resources on how to reduce energy bills and live more sustainably; a custom-built carbon calculator featuring best practice individual carbon footprint analysis and recommended steps to reduce that footprint; an energy efficiency pledge list for students as part of the Student Center page; and a comprehensive outreach program of educational workshops and hands-on activities to support local action and encourage sustainable change.

We hope you will join the fun and help Boston or Kesling Middle School win the grand prize!