About UsOur SolutionsClients and AffiliatesPublicationsOut and About

Survivor—Energy Planet

Survivor—Energy Planet teaches students about energy conservation and environmental responsibility.



Survivor—Energy Planet: Red Hot, Cool & Green™

The growing demand for energy around the world is impacting the cost of oil, gasoline and natural gas. Record-breaking oil and natural gas prices create uncertainty about the overall effect on the U.S. economy and what all of us can expect in the future.

In 2004, Ever-Green Energy affiliate, District Energy St. Paul, decided to create an energy education program that would teach sixth-grade students about energy conservation and environmental responsibility and the simple steps they and their families could take to make a difference.

The program helps students develop a general understanding of how human behavior and technology impact the environment and how to identify the advantages and disadvantages of various types of energy and energy sources.

The project was named "Survivor—Energy Planet: Red Hot, Cool & Green™." The name is fun and fitting for any age group, it relates to a popular television show, and it reflects District Energy's services: Red Hot (district heating), Cool (district cooling) & Green (renewable energy).

The presentation was piloted in July 2005. Students and teachers have responded enthusiastically to the program, and it continues to be revised based on student responses and teacher evaluations. In 2007, edited versions of the renewable energy presentation and game were presented to people visiting the Eco Education building at the Minnesota State Fair. The program was a hit with game players, and we will return to the State Fair again this year.

We are currently looking at ways to expand our energy education program to make it more accessible to students at various grade levels.