Over the last few decades in the United States, non-renewable energy sources - such as fossil fuels - have provided the main source of power for our everyday lives. But to help promote conservation and sustainability efforts, today scientists and industry are exploring renewable energy resources. At Watt Watchers of Texas we are well-versed in all things related to energy conservation, and our education efforts also include information on renewable energy. It is important that children and adults understand exactly what renewable energy is, what types of renewable energy exist, and the importance of clean energy for our homes and schools.
When power is sourced from natural elements such as wind, water, or sunlight, this is considered renewable energy. For example; wind moving a sailboat across the sea without the need for a motor (which uses fossil fuels) to function. Previously, it had been difficult to harness renewable energy for wide usage because they were more expensive, and there were no battery storage technologies capable of holding the energy for long periods of time.However, today we have less expensive ways to harness renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy.
The earth provides several natural, renewable sources of energy that we have been able to harness and utilize for power. These include:
Understanding how these renewable resources can be utilized as a source of power rather than non-renewable resources can be very valuable when working to educate others and begin the transition to these clean energy sources.
Anyone can integrate renewable energy sources into their everyday lives in an effort to be more sustainable. Solar power can be harnessed through PV cell panels or a passive solar home design so that your home can be powered with only the sun’s rays. Small wind turbines can be installed for homeowners to reduce your reliance on the electrical grid. To cool homes in summer and warm them in the winter and even heat water, the constant temperature of the earth can be accessed through geothermal pumps. While these systems are sometimes expensive, some do pay for themselves over time (by reducing utility bills), are often quieter, and can have fewer maintenance issues. Using renewable resources such as water, solar, and wind is a sustainable method of energy, so it is critical that we all learn about the benefits of clean energy and incorporate it into our daily lives.
At Watt Watchers of Texas, we are dedicated to providing STEM-based educational resources to parents and teachers of children in grades K-12 to increase energy literacy throughout Texas and the larger United States. We believe that it is never too young to learn about the benefits of clean energy and energy conservation. Our program offers activities, tips, and lessons on energy saving on a daily basis, and we even have a Student Patrol Program designed to give kids the power to show their schools and families how to conserve energy and save money on utility bills. Contact Watt Watchers today to learn more about all of our valuable resources!
It’s never too early to get kids involved in energy conservation efforts at home and at school. Like adults, children also use energy resources in their daily lives. As technology advances and kids use devices like computers, tablets, and gaming consoles on a regular basis, they need to learn how to and why we should conserve energy.
At Watt Watchers of Texas, we have developed activities, lessons, and resources for teachers and parents to teach children about the benefits of energy conservation. Even Kindergarteners can learn how energy is used in their homes and schools, as well as how to save resources.
Our energy conservation team at Watt Watchers has compiled resources and activities to be used by teachers and parents with children of all grade levels, including Kindergarten. With your guidance, kids can participate in a wide variety of activities with the goal of demonstrating real world actions that positively impact the conservation effort happening around them. Some of the activities we recommend for Kindergarteners include:
There are many more activities that could be added to this list, but the primary goal is to show kids that saving energy is important, can make a difference in the world, and can be fun. Teachers and parents might even gain some exciting new knowledge about energy conservation and what it can mean to your daily lives.
Kindergarten age children are constantly observing their surroundings, listening to and watching their parents and teachers, and learning everything they can about the world around them. They will also imitate the actions of adults, so it is important that adults are conscious of what they say and do regarding energy conservation.
Kindergarteners are figuring out how the world works, and adults need to be their guide as they grow and learn. The simple act of turning off a light as you exit the room is a great starting point for adults to demonstrate how to reduce energy waste. From a young age, kids can learn and develop good energy saving habits from their parents and teachers, and simultaneously discover why saving energy makes a difference in their own lives.
At Watt Watchers of Texas, we are a state-sponsored STEM program designed to boost energy literacy for grades K-12 and to help schools save money through energy conservation. We provide free access to activities, lessons, and resources to teachers, faculty, administrators, and parents in an effort to spread the energy saving message. Whether your kids are in school or homeschooled, we have plenty of resources to provide the knowledge and assistance needed to educate kids about how saving water, energy, and other conservation efforts are beneficial to the world, their schools, and themselves.
And we believe that kids of all ages can and should participate in the energy conservation effort. To make this even more fun for kids, we have developed the Student Patrol Program where kids can join Lil’ Tex and Ann in their fight against the Wasters Gang. When it comes to energy conservation, we are truly dedicated to helping save Texas and the larger world as well as helping educators bring energy saving into their schools and homes. Contact our energy conservation specialists to learn more about how your school can participate in our program and to access our plethora of free resources.
Today, many students and families have become familiar with the concept of “STEM” - or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM provides a solid foundation on which to build a student’s ability to then use what they have learned in the real world. But, have you heard of STEAM?
That’s right. It’s not a typo. STEAM is the latest innovation in education because it combines the lessons and foundations already being taught through STEM subjects and adds the arts and design to it. Hence, STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics. Incorporating the arts into STEM allows for greater creativity, innovation, and application of STEM-based concepts in the real world.
At Watt Watchers of Texas, we understand how critical it is that students get a well-rounded education in order to succeed in life. For that reason, we are able to provide STEAM education resources for teachers and parents throughout Texas. We are excited to help students reach their full potential in the STEAM education system which is why all of our online resources are always free to access and download.
The STEAM education movement was developed by the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in response to the shortcomings of only having STEM education without the added influence of the arts. In terms of “the arts,” it goes well beyond simple aesthetics. Arts incorporates language arts, social studies, physical arts, fine arts, and music. Essentially, the goal of STEAM is to help students connect the principles they learn in STEM fields and apply them through art and design.
By adding Arts into STEM, it allows students to wonder, innovate, and inquire when considering how they can apply the STEM foundations they have successfully learned. While dancing, creating or listening to music, reading literature, or playing games may not seem like activities which encourage serious scientific inquiry, STEAM education provides a way to connect these activities (and many others) to the STEM fields for a fully cohesive and comprehensive classroom experience.
Incorporating arts education into the already established Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics system is not simply a matter of encouraging students to read a work of fiction or listen to a piece of classical music. Rather, the arts are a critical piece of their overall education in the STEM fields because it gives students tools and techniques to figure out ways of solving problems, displaying data, and making connections between fields. Although many people see the STEM fields and the arts in dramatically different spheres of the educational system, they are actually quite complementary to each other and are most necessary for all students to know and understand. For a fully comprehensive learning experience that encourages innovation, it is essential that a STEM education includes the arts component.
While in the classroom, a true STEAM education experience will ensure that the task or activity at hand incorporates a STEM field as well as some type of arts component. Students will need to analyze the situation, examine all of the angles and particulars of the problem, and then develop innovative approaches to solve the issue. The last portion is where being too rigid in their approach can be limiting, so the arts aspects will allow students to be creative, solve problems together, and make inquiries that may not fall in line with the typical STEM principles.
Hands-on projects that include real-world problem-solving skills or scientific principles come to life are two of the best ways to ensure that students are fully engrossed in the STEAM learning experience. The STEM acronym stands for science, technology, engineering and maths. “STEAM” adds the arts – visual arts, new media, drama, music, and so on.
A great example of STEAM learning is our Junk Art activity. This activity focuses on the “reuse” theme of reduce-reuse-recycle. Students collect waste materials (paper, bottles, cans, cardboard tubes, fabric, etc) and find other uses for them either practically, for a school project, or as art objects. Cutting utensils or sharp objects may not be suitable for younger students, but otherwise this is an activity for students of all ages. Students work individually or in groups to decide a scene from a book either read in class or at home to illustrate. Using the shoebox as a “stage,” students should recreate the scene or setting, reusing as many materials as necessary to tell the story. Pencils too short to write can become a fence, and small cardboard boxes can serve as buildings in the setting. Creativity counts, and the more materials used again rather than on first use, the better. The creative process and problem-based learning is what makes this our favorite STEAM activity!
At Watt Watchers of Texas, we are a state-sponsored STEM program designed to help boost energy literacy for students in grades K-12. We have developed programs to help teachers, administrators, and parents show their kids the value of energy efficiency and conservation. We are also advocates of STEAM education and making sure that students get hands-on learning to understand the value of the arts in science. Contact us today to learn more about all of our energy sustainability and conservation programs (including the Student Patrol Program) and to get access to our online resources.
This year the world, including the United States, has been devastated by a virus the likes of which we have not seen for some time. It has required us to stay home, keep our distance from others, close down shops and schools, and wear masks when out in public. One of the most difficult parts of this ordeal has been deciding how education for our kids will continue, and for many schools and teachers, distanced online learning has been the best option.
Students have become extremely used to attending school, seeing their friends, and listening to lessons taught by their teachers every day. That has become a challenge because of COVID-19, and distance learning techniques are being developed, revised, and perfected by teachers, administrators, and parents to ensure their kids can still get the education they need and deserve in the safest way possible.
At Watt Watchers of Texas, we are dedicated to helping parents and teachers show students the value of learning about energy and participating in energy saving efforts, even from the safety of their homes. We have assembled a variety of distance learning resources that can be utilized by parents and teachers no matter what format of online teaching they have chosen to implement. From at-home energy efficiency efforts to joining the Student Patrol Program with the family and everything in between, you can find all of the activities, lessons, and other resources you need to deliver great energy education to your children.
Watt Watchers of Texas understands that the prospect of taking over as your children’s teacher or trying to implement a new subject (energy conservation) without the classroom as a foundation can be daunting for any parent. It can also be tough for teachers to transition from the face-to-face classroom experience to a completely online platform. With our distance learning resources, you can still help demonstrate to your students the importance of energy conservation and conduct activities with them in a variety of themes.
One type of energy that is used in almost every home, business, school, and building throughout the country is electricity. It is very easy to unknowingly or unconsciously waste electricity by leaving on a light in an unoccupied room, not unplugging unused electronics, or even using outdated types of lightbulbs. These activities and resources are perfect for all age ranges and help students understand how electricity can be conserved.
Water is one of the most vital resources for the continuation of life on earth, so it is critical that it is not wasted. The activities and resources provided by Watt Watchers in the water category demonstrate how to conserve water and the many ways that water is used (and overused) throughout the country.
Thankfully, recycling has become an important part of many people’s daily lives. Whether they are drinking water from reusable bottles or making sure they have divided their trash items into recyclable bins, people have truly seen the value of recycling. These activities will show students why recycling is so important when it comes to a finished product’s connection to the materials extracted from the earth which were used to make that item.
Have you ever walked into a retail store or office building and started shivering almost immediately? That’s likely because whoever is in charge of the thermostat has it turned up way too high. The unnecessary energy consumption from air conditioning units or heaters that have been set too cold or too hot, respectively, needs to be discussed. Students will learn best practices when using their AC or heater units (or at least check to make sure their parents have set them to an appropriate temperature).
When it comes to getting from place to place, most people will use some form of motorized vehicle. That means fuel will likely be used. Kids do not need to understand the inner workings of car engines or fuel, but they can definitely see the benefits of carpooling with friends and family to save gas.
In our world, it is important that food is not wasted but rather utilized effectively to keep our bodies running and healthy. Our food activities and resources will show students where their food comes from, how it grows, and what happens to waste after it leaves their kitchens.
At Watt Watchers of Texas, we are proud to have a program dedicated to giving kids the power to watch over their classmates, teachers, administrators, and parents. This program is the Student Patrol. They will join Lil’ Tex and Ann to fight the devious efforts of the Wasters Gang by making sure that energy is being conserved throughout their schools - and homes. We have tips and activities that your kids can do at home to make sure that the Waster Gang doesn’t take over your utility bills, and your kids will enjoy wearing Patrol Program badges and handing out tickets for energy violations or award certificates when they find improvements.
Our energy conservation experts at Watt Watchers are excited to share our online resources with parents and teachers who are struggling to find ways to demonstrate the importance of energy saving to students and kids of all ages. Regardless of your children’s ages or interests, we have resources, activities, and lessons to inspire and educate on all areas of energy education.
Watt Watchers of Texas is a state-sponsored STEM program designed to help boost energy literacy for students in grades K-12. We are dedicated to helping students learn the value of energy resources and to assisting schools and parents at home save money on their utility bills. Whether you need tips, activities, or lessons, we have all the online resources you will need for a distance learning energy conservation curriculum. Check out everything we have to offer or contact us today to find out more!
Like many other natural resources, water is something that we rely on every single day for a variety of purposes. We often take for granted turning on the faucet to get a drink of water or grabbing a piece of ice to cool off a pitcher of iced tea. Taking a shower every day or brushing our teeth both use water as does cooking and cooling the air in our homes through air conditioning. All of these activities use water in abundance, and we would be completely lost without easy access to water in our homes, schools, places of business, and pretty much everywhere else! That is why it is essential that we are able to preserve all of our natural resources, especially water, so that we can continue to function normally in our daily lives without disruption from a lack of energy sources.
Since water is a natural, precious resource, that means that there is a limited supply. Just like other forms of energy, we have a finite supply of water that can be used up very quickly unless we learn to conserve and save it. At Watt Watchers of Texas, we understand the importance of preserving our world’s natural resources and are dedicated to providing information, support, and activities to schools and parents to help teach kids of all ages the benefits of energy conservation and how to save resources such as water at home and school.
We also know that promoting the conservation effort is equally important, so we have partnered with the Water, Texas Film Festival as a way to encourage and promote water conservation.
There are two primary benefits of conserving water in Texas as well as around the world: preservation of precious natural resources and lowering energy costs. Like all other resources on Earth, water is limited. Global demand shows that people are consuming (and wasting) more water than ever before. Unfortunately, the availability of water will not rise along with or at the same pace as our usage of it. Conserving water helps to ensure that there will be enough for everyone. LIkewise, energy and water are closely linked because society uses energy for water and water for energy. It is essential that we save water at every turn so that our energy and water resources do not become depleted.
On a secondary, and more personal level, water conservation reduces your utility bills every month. The more water conscious you are, the less your bill will be. As you make a concerted effort to save water (and other energy resources like gas and power), your monthly bills will be reduced and you may be able to put that money toward something the whole family can enjoy like a vacation!
Conserving water at home is actually a relatively simple task that the whole family can be a part of every day. Making sure there are no leaking faucets can help save gallons of water over a very short period of time. Taking shorter showers (especially when there are several people in the house who all need to shower each day), avoiding taking a bath and opting for the shower, and turning the water off while brushing your teeth are also great ways to conserve water waste. And don’t forget to utilize that reusable water bottle rather than a plastic disposable one!
When you are doing some household chores, you can definitely work on your water conservation efforts. Using the dishwasher or clothes washer only when there are full loads avoids wasting water on smaller, less efficient loads. If you wash your dishes by hand, rinse all of the dishes at once rather than turning the water on for each dish. And watering your plants and flowers outdoors can consume lots of water depending on the type of plants you have. If you’re in a climate where plants would need tons of water because you get very little rain, it may be better to plant heartier flowers and crops that don’t require as much water to survive.
Conserving water in your home is actually pretty simple and only requires a few adjustments to your daily life. Everyone in the house can participate, and it is a great way to teach children about water conservation and its importance.
Kids love to participate in activities that they know are beneficial to them, their families, and the larger global community. When you’re at home, it’s a great time to show them that water conservation has lots of advantages and is pretty easy to do. Make the learning fun by having them complete activities which get them involved in the effort.
Kids are great at monitoring and watching when you put them in charge. As members of the Watt Watchers Student Patrol Program at school, they get to watch out for energy waste and make sure any offenders are taken care of. The same can be done at home. You can assign them duties as the water conservation experts. A great way to show them the tangible results of their water saving efforts is to show them the decrease in your utility bills or checking out the water meter. It doesn’t take much to learn how to read the meter, and they will be so proud knowing that their efforts have reduced water usage and waste.
Watt Watchers of Texas has also partnered with the Water, Texas Film Festival which provides an outlet for adults and kids to make short films (10 minutes or less) which share their individual water stories and bring about a greater awareness for the vital role that water plays in our daily lives. Whether you are creating a film or want to check out the submissions, this is a fantastic way to spread the message of water conservation and inspire everyone to do their part.
Our partner, The Texas Water Foundation, hosts a yearly film contest that is judged by Richard Linklater. Due to COVID-19, April's screening and awards ceremony has been postponed to the Fall but we are excited to announce a new contest category: COVID-19 & Water. This is a special contest category in honor of the essential role water plays in our lives.
Need help learning how to make your own film? Watch this video from our friend at Elequa!
What: 5 minute max film on the role of water during COVID-19
Who: Anyone with a camera
Winner: $600 cash prize!
If your kids are interested in becoming a part of the water conservation effort or you as the parent are looking for ways to teach your kids about saving energy, contact Watt Watchers of Texas. We have resources, information, and activities designed for kids of all ages and learning levels that will allow you to demonstrate the benefits of water conservation and get your kids active in the effort. Encourage your kids to join Lil’ Tex and Ann in their fight against the Wasters Gang with our Student Patrol Program and implement the activities in your own home. Check out our FREE resources!
As we all know, the transition from the cooler winter months into the much warmer spring and summer months means that, in Texas, utility bills are going to increase. With the heat of the day reaching a high point, the interior of our homes also tend to heat up and you become uncomfortable unless some cooling techniques are employed. Unfortunately, those cooling methods tend to use a lot of energy.
Rather than crank up the air conditioning, there are some other ways to stay cool and save energy at the same time. At Watt Watchers of Texas, we understand how important it is for the planet and your utility bills to save energy in your home. We have resources for you that will help you discover ways you can work on your energy conservation efforts and get your children involved at the same time.
Children can become members of the Watt Watchers Student Patrol Program at home and help Lil’ Tex and Ann in their fight against the Wasters Gang. Kids will enjoy being part of the group while also learning about different types of sources of energy, and you will benefit from the reduction in utility bills. It’s a win-win!
There are a variety of ways you and your family can work diligently to save energy in your home throughout the summer. While electricity appears to be the main culprit of energy usage during the summer (running those air conditioning units), water, food, and other elements from around your home can all contribute to the energy conservation issue.
It is important that you and your family complete an energy use survey to find out exactly how much energy you are wasting throughout the day. Kids can also fill out the energy checklist to give your home an energy score based on the items in your house. You and your family will enjoy thinking about your daily life, considering all the ways you use energy, and coming up with ways you can work to save more energy every day.
At Watt Watchers of Texas, we are fully dedicated to helping schools and families improve their energy usage on a daily basis so that fewer non-renewable resources are wasted. To help achieve our goal, we have provided a plethora of valuable resources and activities designed for all grade levels (K-12) that teach kids about various kinds of energy, how energy is produced, what energy is used for, and activities which encourage energy conservation efforts at home and in school.
Because kids are mostly at home during the summer, they are no longer able to participate in their schools’ Student Patrol Program, but that doesn’t mean they can’t continue their fight against the Wasters Gang. We have lots of activities that easily transfer to life at home and will help them stay committed to saving energy and reducing the use of non-renewable resources. They can also have fun checking up on their parents, siblings, and others in your home to make sure you aren’t leaving lights on in unused rooms or letting a faucet leak water.
As the adult, there are a few things that you can do to help reduce energy usage as well. These include adjusting the thermostat during cooler temperature times outside, making sure blinds and drapes are closed when the sun is hitting that side of the house, installing a water heater blanket, switching out old light bulbs for LED bulbs, closing the oven door closed during cooking, washing only full loads of laundry and dishes, and turning off unused electronics.
When it comes to energy conservation, kids can and should be a part of the effort along with their parents and teachers. They can also benefit by participating in activities which also teach them about what energy is, how we use energy on a daily basis, and why it is important to conserve energy. At Watt Watchers of Texas, we have a variety of resources and activities that you can access and utilize for FREE to teach your kids about energy conservation.
As a member of the Watt Watchers Student Patrol Program, your kids are tasked with making sure that appliances and other sources of energy usage around your house are not wasting precious resources. Make sure that they are doing their job by checking for lights on in rooms that are not being used, leaking water faucets, and items that can be recycled. You can also demonstrate how certain energy sources work such as solar heat and light, dams for water control, and the amount of water used in the shower or bath.
When you make learning fun for kids, they will enjoy the activities and continue to participate in the energy conservation effort. Watt Watchers of Texas has resources that are appropriate for all grade levels as well as plenty of information to help you explain all the elements of the activities. If the whole family is involved, the energy saving effort will surely be a success.
Watt Watchers of Texas is a state-sponsored STEM program designed to boost energy literacy for grades K-12 and help schools (and homes) save money on their utility bills. If you are interested in getting your family involved in a Texas home energy conservation effort which includes fun activities for your children, contact Watt Watchers. We are dedicated to saving energy throughout the state and want to give you and your kids all of the resources and activities you will need to start and continue your efforts.
Your kids will love being a member of the Student Patrol Program helping Lil’ Tex and Ann fight off the Wasters Gang. Reading the story of Lil’ Tex and Ann will inspire your kids to get involved and do their best to keep the Wasters Gang out of your home. When they see that their efforts have a big impact, they will be proud and so will you. Watt Watchers is happy to have your family join our conservation group.
Whether we recognize it or not, the modern world has become extremely reliant on using energy resources on a daily basis. From turning on lights throughout the house to washing dishes and everything in between, we use electricity, water, gas, and other resources throughout our everyday lives. This energy usage, however, can result in higher utility bills and a drain on non-renewable resources that will eventually run out.
Most of the time, we don’t even realize the amount of energy we are using during the course of our day. When we enter a room, we often flip the lightswitch whether or not it is totally dark in the room. Good hygiene requires that we take a bath or shower every day, brush our teeth twice per day, and wash our hands on a regular basis. While those actions are great for staying healthy, they may also use a lot of water (and electricity if the water is heated). Although we can’t completely cut out energy usage, there are ways to better understand just how much energy we are using on a daily basis and to start reducing that amount.
Reducing resource usage just a bit every day can have a huge impact on the well-being of the planet as well as your monthly utility bills. At Watt Watchers of Texas, we are dedicated to helping the residents of Texas limit their energy usage to improve the health of the planet. We have developed resources and activities designed to help teachers demonstrate to their students the ways in which energy can be saved and why conservation is so important. These FREE resources are also available to parents who are looking to continue helping their children save energy and learn more about where energy comes from and how it works.
When you are first starting your energy conservation journey, it may seem a bit overwhelming and you may not know where to begin. Watt Watchers has created an at-home energy survey that will help you figure out where you are using the most energy throughout your day. It is a great activity to complete with your children because they can be in charge of filling out the survey as you go about your day.
To begin, start with the question “Where have you used energy today?” to help your kids think of all the appliances that use energy in your home. This survey has an extensive list of most of the common household appliances that you may use every day. Feel free to add more to the list! As you go about your day, have your kids write down or check off every time you use one of the appliances listed in the survey. This can be everything from the refrigerator and oven to an iron or television. If it gets plugged in, it can be a part of the list.
At the end of the day (or block of time, depending on your kid’s attention span), review the list with your children and see how much energy was used. Ask your kids if they can think of ways to reduce the amount of energy that they personally used. Maybe that would be a reduction in TV watching or taking a shorter shower. See if you can come up with some creative ways to save energy and have fun at the same time.
A great way to encourage kids to join the energy conservation effort is to show them how their actions have real world consequences and benefits. Keep track of your utility bills for a couple of months. Start with the baseline bill where you and your family are using energy as you normally would and show your kids how much that bill was. Over the next couple of months, try to work on your energy saving techniques and remain conscious of turning off lights and other methods to reduce usage. As the bills begin to reduce, show your kids that their efforts are helping the planet and saving money at home (money that can be used for something special for the whole family!).
Everyone wants to save money on their energy bills, but it takes a bit of effort to reduce your energy usage. As a family, divide the energy conservation responsibilities up between the adults and the kids. For the adults, you can complete some chores around the house that are often shown to be energy wasters. You can figure out how to program your thermostat for the optimal in-house temperature for certain times of day. If no one will be home from 7am-3pm, the air conditioning doesn’t necessarily need to be on full blast. You can also make sure that the windows are caulked properly to prevent air from leaking out, the water heater has blanketed to conserve heat, and the old energy-wasting light bulbs in your home are replaced with LEDs.
Kids can join the Watt Watchers Student Patrol Program and help Lil’ Tex and Ann combat the Wasters Gang. Give them certain policing duties to make sure the house is energy-friendly. These can be things like making sure lights are turned off in rooms which are unoccupied, checking for leaking faucets, monitoring how long people are in the shower, and ensuring family members are turning off the water while they brush their teeth. Simple but effective techniques to conserve energy can certainly make a difference when it comes to your monthly utility bills.
There are two primary benefits to energy conservation at home: helping to conserve precious, non-renewable natural resources and saving money on monthly utility bills. When it comes to using electricity, gas, water, food, and other energy resources in your home, the monthly bills will quickly show you how a bit of conservation can make a big difference. Shortening shower times, taking showers instead of baths, programming your thermostat, changing some light bulbs, only using the dishwasher or clothing washer when there are full loads, and other simple tasks can dramatically reduce your bills.
Helping to save the precious resources of the planet may not have extremely obvious results from your at-home efforts, but every activity counts. The less that one family uses on a daily basis, the more that remains for future generations. Non-renewable resources are finite, and once they are used up, they are gone for good! We want to make sure that these resources stay around for many years to come, so it is everyone’s responsibility to do what they can and be a part of the energy conservation effort.
Watt Watchers of Texas is dedicated to helping families, teachers, and students join the energy conservation effort by providing FREE access to resources and activities designed to save energy. We are a state-sponsored STEM program, and we are committed to boosting energy literacy for grades K-12 so that schools and homes can reap the benefits of conservation. Contact us today to learn more about helping your kids learn more about energy, how it works, why it’s important to conserve, and how to make changes in your home for better conservation.
Just because your child is not in school during the summer, it does not mean that the learning should not continue, especially when it comes to lessons and activities about energy conservation. At Watt Watchers of Texas, we know how critical it is that you are able to teach your kids about the importance of saving energy at home and how to do that. We have designed some great summertime energy saving activities that you can do at home with your children to help demonstrate to them some of the lessons about energy they learned in school.
And don’t forget to remind them that they are still a part of the Watt Watchers Student Patrol Program! They are helping Lil’ Tex and Ann stop the Wasters Gang’s from stealing energy around your home. Be sure they are remembering to check the house for wasted energy like turning off the lights in rooms that are not being used and making sure that there are no leaking faucets.
There are a variety of different themes and topics that fall under our energy conservation categories, each with their own activities that can be done easily at home. Below are some of our favorite energy saving summertime activities to help you continue to explain to your kids how energy works and why energy conservation is so important.
One of the greatest feelings during the summer is going into a nice, chilly air conditioned home or business after being out in the harsh sun. To try to show your kids the basics of how air conditioning works, all you need is a bowl of ice and a simple fan.
First, have your kids stand in front of the fan to feel the difference in temperature as the fan blows fast moving air around. Then, place the bowl of ice in front of the fan, let it blow for a few minutes, and have your kids feel the temperature difference once again. The melting ice has absorbed heat energy from the environment and cools the surrounding area. You can even try it outside if the inside of your home is already cool.
For those with older children (grade level 6-8), an activity that can teach lessons about cooling and heating as well as how the thermostat temperature affects energy bills deals with programming your home’s thermostat. This activity will take a bit of time and should include a chart that your child can help create.
Heating and cooling costs can be reduced by 10%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, by adjusting the thermostat during the hours when the home is empty. Have your child think about the times when no one is home (usually at school, work, sports, etc.) and mark those times on a chart. Then identify when the temperature outside is at its warmest and coolest, especially during the summer. Explain to your children that the thermostat can be adjusted for these temperature changes and time frames. During the night, temperatures drop and people are able to sleep with perhaps only a window open or a fan on rather than having the air conditioning running. On the other hand, the hottest parts of the day outside may require the AC to run inside the home to maintain an optimal temperature.
Discuss among your family what everyone thinks is the most comfortable temperature in the house (this may take a few days to figure out this temperature since most kids tend not to know what the temperature is in the house). Using the time chart that you have created, identify times of the day when the thermostat should be set to that desired temperature depending on the outside temperature and the occupation of the home.
This thermostat programming activity will allow kids to understand how the outside temperature affects the interior of the home and why air conditioning does not need to be running all day, every day. It is also a great way to teach them about energy costs and the rise or fall of your monthly bills.
States of matter change from gas to liquid to solid and back depending on whether they are being heated or cooled. You can help your kids understand the basics of thermal energy by helping to illustrate melting point, boiling point, freezing point, and dew point. All you will need to have on hand is a student-friendly thermometer, 2 cups, ice, liquid water, and a freezer. You should also preface the activity with a bit of information concerning the equilibrium of thermal energy; that is, a substance will remain at the same temperature until the state change has occurred completely. Be sure your kids also know melting/freezing point (0℃/32℉) and boiling point (100℃/212℉).
For this activity, we will focus on freezing and cooling rather than melting and boiling since an open flame may be a bit dangerous even with parental supervision. Begin by pouring liquid water into 1 cup and taking a measurement of the temperature. Place ice into the other cup and try to take the temperature. If it is difficult or you can’t get a good reading, pour water into the cup with the ice, wait a couple of minutes, and then take the measurement of the icy water.
Next, put the cup with water into the freezer and leave the icy water out on a table. Every 15 minutes, take the temperature of both cups. Ice will begin to appear on the surface of the water in the freezer and the temperature will approach 0℃. It will stay there until the entire cup is frozen then it will continue to drop in temperature. As the ice in the cup on the table melts, the temperature should remain at 0℃ until it is entirely melted then the temperature will rise.
We all know that staying cool in the summer is a top priority, but this takes energy, especially when trying to create cool air using electricity. Many forms of energy that we use to cool ourselves and our homes are made from resources that are limited in supply (non-renewable) and can be easily wasted if we’re not careful.
This activity is designed to help you and your kids think of ways to stay cool without using natural resources through electricity. Strategies like adjusting the thermostat, closing curtains and blinds, shutting doors so the cool air doesn’t escape, opening windows at night rather than running the AC, taking cooler showers, and planting shade trees are all great ways to save energy and stay cool. Can you think of others?
In the energy landscape, dams have become a very useful way to create reservoirs for sources of drinking water and irrigation. Kids can learn the fundamentals of creating dams and how they are useful by utilizing building blocks such as LEGO®️. This is a great activity to do outside!
Using the base plate, have your kids create reservoirs, channels, canals, and other structures that will control the flow of water. While they build, they should be thinking about how the water will flow through their creations. When they are done, place the creations in a tray or bin on an incline and have kids pour water over the plate. Ask them how the water is behaving, if it is what they expected, and what happens with more or less water.
Just like electricity conservation, water conservation is as simple as being conscientious of the ways you use water on a daily basis. As a member of the Student Patrol Program, have your kids make sure that you and your family are being careful about water usage in your home. Use a checklist of steps to reduce water waste:
These easy steps can help your kids learn more about water consumption and how to reduce water waste.
(Adult Supervision Required)
This project is designed to show kids how the sun’s energy can be utilized for light and heat. To make the solar oven, wrap the inside of a cardboard box with aluminum foil and wrap a piece of cardboard that is larger than the box in foil as well. Put the ingredients of a s’more in the box: half of a graham cracker on the bottom, marshmallow on top, then the chocolate square. Repeat with as many s’mores as will fit. Then place the box of s’mores outside in the sun. Use the larger cardboard piece as a reflector for the sun into the box. Watch as the s’mores melt, top them with the other half of the cracker, and enjoy!
If you are a parent who is looking for more opportunities to continue to teach your children about the benefits of energy conservation over the summer, contact Watt Watchers of Texas. We have all of the information and resources you need to keep the conversation with your kids going. Show your children that saving energy (and money) can be fun, especially when they join the Watt Watchers Student Patrol Program to help Lil’ Tex and Ann in their fight against the Wasters Gang. For more information, contact us today!
We are all told from a very young age that it is essential for our growing bodies to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables in order to stay healthy and happy. We may not always like the fruits or vegetables that our parents try to get us to eat, but they are still important and contain plenty of nutrients that our bodies need. What we are likely not told about is the amount of energy it takes to actually grow, store, and prepare those fruits and vegetables.
If you have ever tried to grow a garden in your backyard or even in a window box, you are probably aware that it takes time, energy, and plenty of water to get plants to grow. Some vegetables and fruits are heartier than others and require less water in order to thrive and produce, but others consume lots of water and sunshine. Take that experience of trying to grow a small garden and increase it exponentially to acres of farmland. The amount of energy it takes to grow fruits and vegetables on a large scale to be sold to grocery stores is incredible, so it is important that we as consumers do not waste the food that is produced, even if the fruits and vegetables are considered “ugly”.
It is natural to think that food provides humans with energy when we consume it, but we rarely think of the energy consumed by the food itself. This may seem like an odd thought, but it’s true. Food production requires a great amount of energy, so it is integral that we as a community reduce our food waste as much as possible. Generally, you can divide the energy consumption needed for food production into four categories: agriculture, transportation, food processing, and food handling.
To begin, the actual growing process of food production is responsible for a large part of the energy consumption and involves the use of gasoline, diesel, electricity, and natural gas just to grow and cultivate acres of crops. There is also fertilizer and pesticide production which can indirectly consume energy resources. Once the crops have been grown and harvested, they then need to be transported from farm to market to table. Obviously, this requires some type of motorized vehicle which utilizes gas, so more energy is consumed by those vehicles. Even a farmer who sells directly to consumers at a farmers’ market still needs to transport his produce to the market, so some energy is still consumed.
Processing and handling are the second grouping of energy consumption when it comes to food. Sometimes raw foods need to be transformed into a different product. For example, corn needs to be processed before it can be sold at a grocery store as cereal, and the procedure of making a raw vegetable into a consumable product takes quite a bit of energy. Finally, handling of the food takes up the majority of the energy used and includes activities such as refrigerating milk at the supermarket and then again once the consumer buys it and brings it home.
Without actually thinking about it, we don’t realize how much energy is consumed by food rather than energy being given to us by consuming food. As a community then, it is important that we recognize the immense amount of energy used to produce the food we buy at a grocery store and make sure that the food is not wasted.
In the food production business, there is regular produce that you have probably seen in the grocery store waiting for customers to come in and buy it, and then there is “ugly” produce. These are the fruits and vegetables that don’t grow quite right when they are in the farmers’ fields or may have some bruising. As an example, most people have seen a bag of carrots in the produce section, and each carrot is long, slim, and orange. However, not all carrots grow so perfectly. Sometimes they are crooked or curved due to a rock in the ground or extreme weather changes. So why don’t you see these “ugly” carrots in the store?
Most supermarkets will not buy “ugly” produce from farmers because they do not believe that customers will purchase them. Surprisingly, about 20% of all U.S. produce will never enter the grocery store; rather, it will either remain in the field where it grew or be taken to a landfill. This is an extreme waste of both food and energy used to make that produce. There is nothing wrong with the crooked carrot; it just looks funny. But people will still not buy it and the carrot goes to waste. So, what can be done?
The best way to reduce food waste like this is to buy and eat “ugly” produce! It tastes the same and has all of the nutrients and benefits of regular produce, so there is no reason not to buy the crooked carrot. If your regular grocery store doesn’t buy “ugly” produce, encourage them to do so or switch to a farmers’ market so that you can buy the “ugly” produce right from the source. It’s time to embrace the funky veggies and reduce food waste!
At Watt Watchers of Texas, we are dedicated to helping everyone in the state of Texas do their part in helping to reduce energy waste and make a concerted effort toward conservation. We have resources, information, and activities designed to help schools and homes rethink their energy consumption and conserve precious resources. And we especially want to get your kids involved, so we have made the Watt Watchers Student Patrol Program.
Your kids can join Lil’ Tex and Ann as official Watt Watchers in their quest to save Texas from the dreaded Wasters Gang. Whether they are at school or at home, kids can make sure that no energy is being wasted.
Contact Watt Watchers today to learn more about our energy conservation activities and how you can get involved.
Becoming more energy efficient is a task that everyone should actively participate in and understand why it is important. While adults can clearly see the benefits of energy efficiency reflected in their utility bills, children may have a more difficult time understanding the significance. But that does not mean they should not play their part! If you are homeschooling your children and would like to incorporate energy conservation lessons and activities into your curriculum, contact Watt Watchers of Texas today.
At Watt Watchers of Texas, we believe that introducing kids of all ages to the benefits of energy efficiency--both for the planet and for our bills--is essential if they are to maintain an energy-efficient culture. For those Texas residents who homeschool their children and are looking for free homeschooling resources for energy education, we have developed free homeschooling resources you can use to educate your kids about saving energy.
While many schools throughout the state of Texas have become a part of our energy education program and have implemented our lesson plans and activities in the classroom, homeschooled children may not have gotten access to the same resources. At Watt Watchers of Texas, we want everyone to be included and to do their part in saving energy, so we have developed lesson plans and many other free homeschooling resources for you to use at home when teaching your kids.
Because we believe that saving energy is so important, we have made all of our materials free to school and homeschooling parents. There are enough costs and bills (including those energy bills we’re working to help you reduce!) to deal with, and these energy efficiency resources should not be another thing you feel obligated to pay for. We are happy to provide you with all of the free homeschooling resources you could ever need to teach your kids about energy conservation and the many benefits that accompany the process.
Watt Watchers of Texas is focused on saving energy, sustainability, and conservation efforts, and we know how important it is to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency to everyone. In the home, your children can get a first-hand look at the ways that their energy conservation efforts can pay off for their family and the larger world.
One of the primary benefits for individuals as well as organizations and schools when it comes to saving energy is reduced energy bills. While you are implementing our free homeschooling resources and teaching our lesson plans to your kids, feel free to show them your utility bills and connect the utility to the item in the house it represents. Something as simple as turning off a light directly impacts the electric bill. Your kids can see the reduction in cost and know that they are doing their part in saving energy and helping their parents at home.
Watt Watchers of Texas even has a specialized program for kids of all ages in school to help them get active in the energy-saving process, and you can bring this program home for your children as well. This program is called the Watt Watchers Student Patrol.
You and your children can join Lil’ Tex and Ann as official Watt Watchers who are helping to save Texas from the Wasters Gang. These outlaws are not just causing problems for schools and other organizations; they followed you home and are trying to waste energy. Your kids will have a great time safeguarding your home against the Wasters Gang and learning about energy conservation at the same time. Doing easy things like making sure the lights are turned off in rooms that are not in use and unplugging electronics that don’t need to be running will all contribute to your energy-saving efforts and show your kids that conservation can be fun.
We have all of the resources you will need no matter the age or grade level of your children. Our goal since 1985 has been to promote the energy conservation efforts of Texas residents and help to create more sustainability. Join us and let your kids join Lil’ Tex and Ann in their efforts fending off the Waster Gang!
There are hundreds of energy resources available online to help you homeschool. While some are behind a paywall, we're happy to keep providing the Watt Watchers program for free during this time thanks to the generosity and support from our sponsors and partners.
You may be intimidated by the very idea of homeschooling. However, it's an excellent opportunity to bond with your kids while teaching them all about the importance of energy and energy conservation.
In this blog, we'll take a look at what the electricity curriculum looks like for kids aged 6 – 18 (this includes elementary, middle school, and high school) and show you some of the best science and energy resources you can use to homeschool your children.
The central aspect of homeschooling to keep in mind is that you need to keep the lessons and activities age-appropriate. Every child is different, so take your own child's abilities and learning into account when deciding on an energy curriculum.
When you first start drawing up a science curriculum to homeschool your kid, it can be intimidating even to know where to start. There are hundreds of programs online to help homeschool your children, and it can be difficult to distinguish between high-quality offerings and nonsense.
So if you have free time, why not design your own curriculum? It takes a bit of extra work, but it's a lot simpler than it sounds. Start by checking out the typical course of study for your child's grade and work your way from there. For example, this page provides a good idea of what your child should be learning by grade so you can create a lesson for students in elementary school, middle school, or high school.
Identify topics that you want to cover, and also get input from your kids on what they'd like to learn about first while homeschooling. Children are naturally curious and will probably have some questions about electricity or science that you'd be able to answer.
A good piece of advice when drawing up a homeschool curriculum is to start with one topic or subject, such as electricity or energy. You can then take what you've learned and build it into a lesson plan for all your child's needs.
Finally, don't be afraid to consult with your child's science teachers while they're out of school. Most teachers would love to help parents out, especially if you're planning to homeschool due to the current lockdown. They'll be able to help provide you with invaluable information about your child's current state of knowledge and progress in school and what the plan for the year was.
The internet is jam-packed with free science resources you can easily find. The most challenging part is deciding which science resource sites to use and which ones to avoid if you're planning to homeschool your child. We've compiled a list of some of our favorite science resources that cover energy and electricity. Most of these sites also cover many more topics to kick-start your kid's appetite for learning.
The Watt Watchers program is a school-based program that helps schools reduce energy use by teaching students about energy saving and efficiency. While the program aims to reduce a school's energy consumption, there are plenty of ways that you can adapt their curriculum and activities to a homeschooling environment.
The Watt Watchers program is free because the State Energy Conservation Office fully funds it. All the lesson plans, projects, and curriculum supplements are on the website, so you can pick and choose which ones will meet your needs and help with your lesson.
Watt Watchers divides student activities into six main themes, such as electricity, water, and food. The overarching idea of the program is to teach kids about energy sustainability in all aspects of their life. The activities tend to cross over so that you can reinforce specific ideas through several activities outside of the classroom.
Nova is a source of high-quality documentaries on a wide array of topics. It’s a great supplement to keep your kids engaged and interested in science as a whole. The website has plenty of videos about energy and the need for sustainability.
The NSDL has information on almost any topic you can imagine. The site is easy to navigate and offers lesson plans and resources for educators and learners. You can use the advanced search function to hone in on a particular topic.
If you're struggling to bring ideas and concepts to life, check out Science Kids. The site has hundreds of interactive experiments that will whet your kid's appetite for all forms of science. It also has lesson plans and strategies to help you get your message across.
As you'd expect from one of the world's premier magazines, National Geographic Kids is well-designed and incredibly informative. While the site focuses primarily on geography and anthropology, there are plenty of resources to teach your kids about the importance of sustainability and careful energy use.
Saving energy by reducing consumption in Texas is a job that every person at every age can help to participate in and create a better world. At Watt Watchers of Texas, we want to bring energy-saving and conservation efforts into the schools and classrooms throughout the state. That is why we have developed the Student Energy Patrol Program to help your school become more energy-efficient and educate children on ways they can participate and make a difference.
Being more energy efficient is beneficial to both the environment and your school as a whole, so it is important to show your students and staff how to save energy. You will be able to lower your school’s energy bills and build good conservation habits that will carry its advantages to your homes as well.
As you are beginning your Student Patrol program, here are 10 ways you can save energy in your classroom and throughout the school to help set an example for your students:
These are just a few of the many energy conservation tips and tricks you and your students can implement throughout your school. As part of an energy conservation team, you can help your school reduce its energy usage and save much-needed money and resources for more important items for the school.
If your Texas school (grades K-12) is ready to learn more about saving energy, Watt Watchers of Texas is here to help. We are a state-sponsored STEM program working to boost energy literacy for students like yours so that your school can save money on energy bills. Our Student Patrol Program will involve the students, teachers, staff, and parents so that everyone feels they have contributed to the success of their school’s energy efficiency. Contact us today to learn more about our mission and to get the resources you need to implement the Student Patrol Program at your school.
We'd love to help answer any questions and help you get started! Drop us a line and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Watt Watchers of Texas
204 E. Dean Keeton Street, Austin, Texas 78712
contact@watt-watchers.com
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Watt Watchers de Texas
204 E. Dean Keeton Street, Austin, Texas 78712
contact@watt-watchers.com