Johnson Controls is reaching out to kindergarten through twelfth-grade students nationwide by encouraging them to develop ways to make the environment more energy efficient.

“Students play an important role in using energy resources wisely, which reinforces our business of providing energy efficiency solutions for consumers and businesses,” said C. David Myers, president, Building Efficiency, Johnson Controls.  “Each year, we continue to be impressed by the enthusiasm and ingenuity students and teachers exhibit in demonstrating ways to preserve the environment and conserve energy.” 

This is the eighth year for the “Igniting Creative Energy” competition, which provides national winners with valuable educational experiences, including the opportunity to meet national leaders and energy policymakers in Washington, D.C. The Challenge, a program developed and funded by Johnson Controls and the National Energy Foundation, is a competition that encourages students to learn more about energy and the environment.

Student entries will demonstrate an understanding of what an individual, family or group can do in their home, school or community to conserve energy and help the environment.  Students may choose to express their ideas in any creative format, such as science projects, essays, stories, artwork, photographs, music, videos, web based applications, multimedia projects, etc. They may also submit recent service projects.

Call For Creative Energy Project Entries

The Challenge is open to all students in grades K-12 in the United States and Canada, excluding Quebec. All entries are due by March 13, 2008; winners will be announced April 17, 2009.

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 addresses the challenge criteria, will receive a hosted trip to Washington, D.C., for themselves and a parent or legal guardian. Also, the teacher with the highest average score of student work from 15 or more qualifying entries will also receive a trip for two to Washington, D.C., for the same rewarding educational experience. 

While in Washington, D.C., students will share their winning Challenge entries with government and energy leaders during the 20th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum, June 15-16, at the National Press Club. In addition to the national winners, the highest scoring student in each state or province will be recognized. Schools may also be eligible to receive a $1,000 U.S. charitable donation to help beautify their school, educate their students, or impact their community.

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