Johnson Controls Encourages Student Creativity Regarding Energy Conservation

Winners of competition win educational trip to Hawaii, chance to present to national leaders

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13 -- Johnson Controls and the National Energy Foundation have announced the fifth Igniting Creative Energy Challenge, an educational competition that encourages students to learn more about energy and the environment. Students selected as top winners have the opportunity to enjoy national recognition of their ideas though meetings with government and industry leaders at the Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington, DC next spring, as well as a trip to Hawaii.

The contest calls for students to submit entries that reflect the competition theme, Igniting Creative Energy, by demonstrating an understanding of what an individual, family or group can do to make a difference in their home, school or community. Students may express their ideas on energy conservation and the environment in the form of science projects, essays, stories, artwork, photographs, music, video or Web site projects. They may also submit recent service projects or activities from the National Energy Foundation's own Energy Patrol program.

"Students play an important role in energy usage which naturally extends to our business of providing energy solutions," said Brad Bateman, director, public sector sales for Johnson Controls. "This is the fifth Challenge, and we are continually impressed by the enthusiasm and creativity students and teachers exhibit in demonstrating ways to preserve the environment and conserve energy."

According to Dr. Edward Dalton, president of National Energy Foundation, "With the Energy Bill having recently been passed, it is even more important to instill in students the idea that they can creatively contribute to conserving natural resources. It results in improved leadership, character development and service to others, not to mention a better environment."

Contest Rules and Prizes

The Challenge is open to all students in grades K-12 in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Quebec. All entries are due by February 18, 2006, and winners will be announced on or about March 23, 2006.

Official rules about the contest and a downloadable entry form can be found at the official Challenge Web site, www.ignitingcreativeenergy.org.

A total of four grand prizes will be awarded to three students and one teacher. Three students, one in each grade cluster, whose work best exemplifies the Challenge criteria, will receive a hosted trip to Hawaii, April 25-30, 2006, for themselves and a parent or legal guardian. In addition, one teacher with the highest average score of student work from 15 or more qualifying entries will be chosen for a trip for two to Hawaii for the same fun and educational experience.

While in Hawaii, winners will experience the educational trip of a lifetime. This journey will include visits to a volcano, tropical forests, and Hawaii's famous beaches.

Winners will also participate in the national Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington, D.C., June 13-14, 2006, where they will share their Challenge entries and ideas with government and energy leaders. Last year's winners had the honor of meeting President George W. Bush, the keynote speaker at the forum.

All students and teachers who enter will receive an award certificate, and the first 1,000 entries will also receive a commemorative 2006 Challenge pin.

Last Year's Entries

The winning projects for the 2005 Igniting Creative Energy Challenge were a reflection of students' creativity and involvement: a giant matchbook, with each match describing a well-known energy leader and one way to save energy (elementary school student); a newspaper with articles discussing global energy challenges (middle school); and a photographic essay on transportation in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area (high school student).

"The Igniting Creative Energy Challenge fits well with my style of teaching because it allows for hands-on learning and instills in students a sense of environmental responsibility," said Karen Dolan, 2005 teacher winner, a high school instructor at Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pa.

About Sponsors and Administrators

The Challenge is a partnership program developed by Johnson Controls, Inc. and the National Energy Foundation. It is funded through an educational grant by Johnson Controls with additional support from the United States Energy Association (USEA) and the National Energy Foundation.

The National Energy Foundation is a unique 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, dissemination, and implementation of supplementary educational materials, programs and courses that relate primarily to energy, water, natural resources, science and math, technology, conservation and the environment. These teaching resources recognize the importance and contribution of natural resources to our economy, to our national security, the environment and our quality of life.

USEA is composed of approximately 150 public and private energy-related organizations, corporations and government agencies. It represents the United States in the World Energy Council.