Madison Gas and Electric presents
A show celebrating kids who save
ENERGY and help the earth!
Elementary School Leader’s Guide
Elementary School Leaders Guide
Table of Contents
Background ......................................................................................................................................3
Program Synopsis ............................................................................................................................4
Suggested Key Word Self-Assessment Pretest ................................................................................6
Suggested MaGicEnergy Pretest Questions.....................................................................................7
Pretest Answer Key..............................................................................................................8
Suggested Classroom Activities ......................................................................................................9
Discussion Questions .........................................................................................................10
Form an Energy Club .........................................................................................................11
We Need the Sun Lesson Plan (Grades1-2) .......................................................................12
Student Light Book ............................................................................................................14
- Coloring Sheets..........................................................................................................15
Efficiency Tips (Grades 3-5) .............................................................................................19
Glossary of Terms ..........................................................................................................................20
Program Scripts (Spanish and English)
English Version..................................................................................................................22
Spanish Version .................................................................................................................26
Additional Resources .....................................................................................................................31
2
Background
MaGicEnergy is a live 30-minute energy/environmental education program for elementary level
students. The fast-paced program combines a strong environmental and energy message with
magic, juggling, humor, storytelling, and audience participation.
MaGicEnergy was created in 2003 and revised in 2008 by Madison Gas and Electric in
collaboration with performing artist, Dr. Bob Kann, a Madison-based educator and entertainer.
We Need Energy is the major theme of the program with environmental subthemes woven
throughout the program to demonstrate the relationship between the responsible use of energy
and the quality of our environment.
The major themes of the program include:
1. We need energy to sustain our planet.
2. Energy use and the development of energy resources affect the planet.
3. The energy decisions we make today will influence future generations.
4. Technology will play a significant role in energy resource development and
environmental protection.
5. We can responsibly manage our personal energy use through energy conservation and
lifestyle choices and thereby minimize the negative impacts our behaviors have on the
environment.
6. Young people can influence decisions about energy and environmental policy in their
communities and on a global scale.
Teachers can easily integrate MaGicEnergy program content into existing science, social studies,
or general studies classes. Information is communicated in a fast-paced, live performance that
incorporates learning styles identified in contemporary multiple learning theory. Feedback from
host organizations since 2003 has confirmed that MaGicEnergy is a successful supplement to
classroom instruction.
MaGicEnergy addresses key elements identified in market research for MGE: (1) conserve
natural resources, (2) promote renewable energy resources, (3) plan for future energy needs by
training the future adults and leaders of tomorrow's world, (4) improve the general environment,
(5) focus on energy education, (6) focus on schools and students and (7) individual actions can
make a significant impact on improving the planet.
3
Program Synopsis
MaGicEnergy performer Bob Kann begins the show by "magically" removing a "ten-foot pole"
from a top hat while simultaneously promising to convince audience members that one person
can make a difference to make the world a better place to live. A series of juggling tricks are
used to demonstrate how frequently we use energy and yet take it for granted.
The concept of fossil fuels is introduced in the context of a magical transformation of a dinosaur
into a piece of coal. MaGicEnergy presents energy conservation and energy efficiency as partial
solutions to reduce our growing reliance on fossil fuels. "Efficient" juggling routines with
scarves and tennis balls illustrate the idea of stretching our resources and doing more with less.
Energy conservation means using less energy and reducing our demand for energy. For students,
taking shorter showers, turning off unused appliances and lights, and recycling materials are
introduced as effective personal energy management strategies. For parents, washing laundry in
cold water, plugging leaks, caulking, turning the thermostat down in the winter or reducing airconditioning in the summer also can be effective personal energy management strategies. A
handcuff escape trick is used to introduce the idea that doing things like putting insulation in the
walls of buildings can prevent heat from "escaping" and thereby reduce energy consumption.
Technology has brought us many new innovations in lighting technology and energy efficiency.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are more efficient than incandescent lamps, last longer, and
produce less energy to operate. ENERGY STAR® is a government program to promote energy
efficient products.
In Wisconsin, a growing percentage of our energy is derived from renewable energy sources.
Energy from the sun, wind, and water is being harnessed to produce clean renewable power.
Wind power has great energy potential. To demonstrate wind energy, an indoor kite on a 20-foot
string is flown gracefully over the audience as a symbol of wind energy potential.
Solar power also is being used throughout the world and even locally. Ten area high schools
have photovoltaic solar electric systems installed on their school buildings thanks to a gift from
MGE. A series of solar devices are demonstrated including an integrated solar
radio/flashlight/alarm and a solar fan-cooled hat.
While we're developing renewable energy sources, we will continue to use fossil fuels. There are
things kids can do to work for a clean environment. At Hawthorne Elementary School, kids and
parents formed an Energy Club to try to save energy at their school and to help the planet. Their
school-wide campaign save $780 a month compared to the previous year's electricity bill at their
school.
4
In the course of playing the game "Simon Says," students learn that MGE has five specific
suggestions for things kids and adults can do to help the environment and reduce their carbon
footprint:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Turn off the juice when not in use.
Switch to compact fluorescents.
Control your thermostat.
Wash your laundry in cold water.
Look for the ENERGY STAR label when purchasing new appliances
In conclusion, MaGicEnergy is a call to environmental action guided by the notion that one
person can make a difference. Gaylord Nelson, for example, was Wisconsin's governor and
senator. His love for nature eventually led him to come up with the idea for Earth Day, which is
a yearly event taking place around the world to educate people about the environmental dangers
facing our planet. Gaylord Nelson embodies the idea of how one person can make a difference.
Students are encouraged to make their own personal commitment to protect and improve the
environment. A surprise "jumping stool" and cascading hat reinforces the idea that if students do
make this commitment, they may be surprised by the result of their actions.
5
Name ________________________________________ Date ___________________________
Suggested Key Word Self-Assessment Pretest (Grades 3-5)
Next to each word, put an X in the box that show how you understand the word.
Key words
Energy
I know this word
I recognize this
word but don't
know what it means
Electricity
Fossil Fuel
Recycling
Insulation
Compact Fluorescent
Bulb (CFL)
Renewable Energy
Solar Power
Wind Power
Earth Day
6
I don't know
this word
Name ________________________________________ Date ___________________________
Suggested MaGicEnergy Pretest Questions (Grades 3-5)
1.
Energy means someone or something does work.
True
False
2.
In Wisconsin, we mostly get energy from cooking hot dogs and
hamburgers to heat our homes.
True False
3.
Fossil fuels are what's left over from animals plants and animals like
dinosaurs.
True False
4.
We will never run out of fossil fuels.
True
False
5.
Most of Wisconsin's fossil fuels come from Milwaukee.
True
False
6.
Being smart about energy means to use less energy to do more work.
True
False
7.
Recycling is one way to save energy.
True False
8.
Washing laundry in cold water is bad for the planet.
True
False
9.
Insulation helps energy to escape from a building more easily.
True
False
10. Renewable energy is energy that can be used again and again.
True False
11. The ENERGY STAR label promises that a product has parts made
from stars.
True False
12. Wind power was invented by Benjamin Franklin.
True False
13. Solar power means turning sunlight into steam.
True False
14. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea for Earth Day.
True
15. The idea behind Earth Day is to make sure there are cell phones
available everywhere on the planet.
True False
7
False
Pretest Answer Key
1.
True
2.
False
3.
True
4.
False
5.
False
6.
True
7.
True
8.
False
9.
False
10.
True
11.
False
12.
False
13.
False
14.
True
15.
False
8
Suggested Classroom Activities
Discussion Questions .....................................................................................................................10
Form an Energy Club .....................................................................................................................11
We Need the Sun Classroom Lesson Plan (Grades 1-2 .................................................................12
Student Light Book ........................................................................................................................14
- Coloring Sheets................................................................................................................15
9
Discussion Questions

Energy means someone or something does work. Can you feel energy? (yes, heat waves or
energy in the wind can move us around on a windy day or cause a sailboat to skip across the
lake). Can you see energy? (yes, sunlight) Can you hear energy? (yes, the wind)

If you were to enter an energy-saving contest, what creative new idea for saving energy could
you try in the next 12 months and why? For example, a boy in China invented a bikewashing machine. He bought a used washing machine from a local market and connected it
to his bicycle. About an hour and a half later, he had completed both a great workout and
washed a few loads of clean laundry.

Recycling is one way to save energy. What creative suggestions can you make to increase the
recycling which occurs in your classrooms and school? For example, can you write on both
sides of paper instead of use only one side? Can paper towels in your classroom be recycled
instead of thrown in the garbage? Can fruit and vegetable leftovers from your lunches be
composted instead of thrown in the garbage?

Students at Hawthorne Elementary School in Madison formed an Energy Club to find ways
to save energy in their school. If you were to form a similar club in your school, what kinds
of things could you do to save energy?
Kids at Hawthorne Elementary School acted like they believed that kids can change the world?
Do you believe kids can change the world? Can you give examples of kids you know or have
heard of who have changed the world to make it a better place to live?
10
Form an Energy Club at Your School
Kids throughout the United States are working together to protect and improve our planet.
Students and parents at Hawthorne Elementary School in Madison, Wisconsin formed an Energy
Club to learn more about energy and to save energy in their school. On the school Web site, their
invitation to join reads:
"Interested in helping our school and community? Consider getting involved in Energy Club to
learn about 21st century environmental ideas and ways to help your school, your home, even the
whole world."
Students at Cleveland Middle School in Albuquerque, New Mexico formed an Energy Club that
helps their school save electricity. Making school announcements and conducting energy patrols,
the club keeps their school on a "green" track. They are featured on the PBS kids Web site at
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/check_it_outs/energyclub.html
Consider forming an Energy Club in your school. Invite interested students, teachers, and
community members to learn more about energy together and figure out ways to save energy in
your school or community.
11
We Need the Sun Lesson Plan (Grades 1-2)
Objective: The students will learn that the sun is an energy source and its importance for
survival.
Description: Students will play an action game to show the importance of the sun as an energy
source.
Materials: One 4 x 6 index card for each student, paper for picture (optional), crayons or
markers, writing paper (optional)
A book to read about the sun and how it has energy: Suggestions:
--Energy from the Sun by Allan Fowler
--Sun Power: Facts about Solar Energy by Steve Gadler
--Solar System, Sun by Lynda Sorensen
Student – made book, light, (see attached)
Procedure:
Part One:
1. Explain how we humans need food energy much like a car needs fuel for energy or for it
to move.
2. Ask, Where does food get its energy? (The sun)
3. Ask, "Does the sun provide energy? How?" (Plants need it to make food, solar power,
light, heat, etc.)
4. Ask, "Is the sun something we need to survive? Why? Do other living creatures need the
sun? Which creatures and why?"
5. Read a book about the sun. The book should describe how the sun gives us energy to
survive.
6. After the story, brainstorm other things that we need to survive besides the sun (water,
food, shelter, oxygen).
7. Prepare for the action game, below
 Have four students make pictures of the sun, water, shelter, and food.
 Have the other students draw and label an animal of their choice on 4 X 6 index
cards.
12
Part Two: Action game, "Survive or Break Down?"
1. Have all students hold their cards and get in a circle.
2. Ask the sun to leave the circle.
3. Say, "If you will not survive because the sun is gone, leave the circle (everyone should
leave the circle)."
4. Regroup in a circle.
5. Repeat steps 1-3 with the water, food and shelter people leaving the circle at separate
times.
6. Discuss what this game means—we need the sun's energy for light, heat and to provide
food for humans and animals.
Student Book
Copy the two sided Light student book (one for each student) and distribute to students.
 Students fold only on dotted lines, then unfold and cut only on solid lines to create flaps.
 Now read the book the way you desire (e.g., in groups, as a class, etc.
 Students may need help when folding their book or reading the book.
Extensions
 Have students draw a picture that shows the importance of the sun. Have students share
their pictures.
 Use a prism to investigate the light spectrum. Select paints or crayons that match the
colors emitted from the prism and create a poster about the importance of sunshine in
your life.
 Discuss the importance of how the sun provides our bodies with Vitamin D for
strengthening bones and healthy bodies. 10-20 minutes per day without sunblock is
sufficient according the American Medical Association, Journal of Medicine.
 Discuss how exposure to too much sunshine without use of sunscreen to block harmful
rays can damage our skin. Use of SPF sun block 30 or greater is advised for preventing
harmful skin damage. Wear sunglasses to prevent eye damage.
13
Student Light Book
14
15
16
17
18
EFFICIENCY TIPS WORKSHEET
Directions: Use the word list below to complete the energy efficiency tips.











Turn off the Juice
Showers
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Low flow
Cold
Water
Leaky
Refrigerator
Setback thermostat
ENERGY STAR
Insulation
Energy Tips

Replace incandescent light bulbs with ________________________________________.

Fix _______________ faucets and toilets.

Install adequate _______________ in your walls and ceiling.

Install a ______________________________ to control your furnace and air conditioner.

When not in use, _________________________________________________________.

Use _______________ water for washing clothes instead of warm or hot.

Take short _______________ instead of baths.

Set your _______________ temperature to 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

When you have to replace an old appliance purchase an _______________ appliance.

Don't let the _______________ run while brushing your teeth.

Install a ______________________________ showerhead and save water and energy.
19
Glossary of Terms
Carbon dioxide – A colorless, odorless gas that is the waste product of cell respiration and the
combustion of fossil fuels. One of the main greenhouse gases.
Coal, oil, and natural gas – Fossil fuels extracted from the earth and used for electricity
generation, transportation, space heating, and manufacturing/industrial processes.
Compact fluorescent lamp – A small fluorescent designed to fit in light fixtures that use
standard incandescent lamps.
Earth Day – Annual observance on April 22 where individuals and organizations are involved
with environmentally friendly activities and projects-beautification projects, construction
projects, educational event, etc.
Electricity – The behavior of negative and positive charges (electrons and protons) due to their
attraction and repulsion.
Energy – The ability to do work.
Energy conservation – Reduction in overall energy use.
Energy efficiency – The ratio or percentage of useful output to the total output in any system.
ENERGY STAR label – A federal programming label put on products/appliances indicating it
will save energy.
Environment – The sum total of all living and nonliving components in the entire natural world.
Fossil fuels – Carbon rich fuel formed from the remains of ancient animals and plants.
Gaylord Nelson – Former Wisconsin governor and senator credited with starting the first Earth
Day.
Hydropower – Electricity produced by the kinetic energy (movement) of water from an area of
higher elevation to lower elevation.
Incandescent lamp – Traditional light bulb that produces light by passing sufficient electrical
current through a thin wire resulting in production of light energy.
Insulation – Materials that slow down the movement of heat.
20
Madison Gas and Electric – Local investor-owned utility serving the gas and electricity needs
for Madison, Wisconsin and outlying regions.
Photovoltaic (solar) system – A complete PV power system composed of the module (or array)
and balance-of-system components including the array supports, electrical conductors/wiring,
fuses, safety disconnects, electrical grounds, charge controllers, inverters, battery storage, etc.
Pollution – Any addition to man-made or natural systems that degrade or make it unhealthy for
life processes.
Renewable energy – Energy derived from resources that are regenerative or, for all practical
purposes, cannot be depleted. Types of renewable energy resources include moving water
(hydro, tidal, and wave power), thermal gradients in ocean water, biomass, geothermal energy,
solar energy, and wind energy.
Solar energy – Energy transmitted from the sun (solar radiation). The amount that reaches the
earth is equal to one-billionth of total solar energy generated or the equivalent of about 420
trillion kilowatt-hours.
Sun – A yellow star around which the Earth and other planets of the solar system orbit. The sun
provides nearly all the energy needed to sustain life on earth.
Wind – The movement and circulation caused by uneven heating and cooling at the earth's
surface.
21
MaGicEnergy Elementary School Script
Hi. This is a show about energy, so let's hear some energy. Today, I am going to change the way
you think because I believe most of you don't think that one grown up or even one kid can do
something to make the world a better place, just like you probably don't believe that I can
remove basketball from this thin briefcase.
Today's show is about energy- something we take for granted and use all of the time, and how
the way we use energy affects our planet. Energy means that something or someone can do work.
We all need energy-to run, to play, even to think. There are many different kinds of energy. Rub
your hands together. You're releasing energy as heat. The energy for these lights is electricity.
We all need energy to live and to have fun. We use electricity so that our refrigerators can keep
our food cool so that it won't turn fowl, electricity to cook that food, and we need electricity so
that we can watch "Hannah Montana" on TV.
We all have the power of energy right in our fingertips. With the flick of a finger, you can turn
on a light. Right now, I'm using electricity from my sound system so that you can hear my voice.
When I juggle these rings, it is human energy that's making these rings fly though the air, but it
was energy from a factory that made these rings.
We need energy to heat hot water when we take a bath, energy so factories can make the rubber
duckies we play with in the bath, energy to wash our cool boxers and spiffy socks, and energy to
keep our homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
We need energy so that factories can make lots of the stuff we use- the hats we love and the
books we read. We don't always think about energy, but we use it for just about everything we
need to do or want to do by ourselves, with our friends, in our communities around the world.
You might say that energy makes the world go round.
In Wisconsin, we mostly get energy from burning coal, which is a black rock we get from the
earth; oil: a black liquid like water we get by drilling into the earth or the ocean, and from natural
gas, which is a gas like the air in a balloon. These kinds of energy are called fossil fuels because
they are what's left over from animals like dinosaurs and plants that died millions of years ago,
and over a long period of time they slowly turned into oil, natural gas, and coal.
In Wisconsin, we have to bring in all of our coal, oil, and natural gas from places outside of
Wisconsin. When the world runs out of these fuels, they'll disappear and be gone forever, just
like I'm going to make this water disappear before your very eyes. We are using fossil fuels at
faster and faster speeds because we're using more energy in Dane County, in Wisconsin, around
the world, and even at the Statue of Liberty.
22
One thing we can do so that we don't run out of fossil fuels soon is to be smart about how we use
energy, and that means we try to make the energy we're already using last longer by stretching
out how long we can use it. For example, if I want to juggle six objects, I could do it by juggling
like this but an easier way to do it using less energy would be like this. I used less energy to do
what I was trying to do-juggle 6 objects.
We also can be smart about energy by--what do these words say? ("USE LESS ENERGY") If
we all use less energy, then this helps the environment. For you, this could mean taking shorter
showers since then we'd have to heat up less water for your showers. Your parents can wash the
laundry in cold water instead of warm water and turn the heat down a little bit in the winter or
use a little bit less air conditioning in the summer.
Not only can we use less energy, we also can- raise your hand if you can read this? ("WASTE
LESS ENERGY") Wasting less energy means turn off the TV when it's not being used or turn
off the lights when you leave a room. Wasting less energy means recycling- using stuff over and
over that can be used again. Plastic bottles, newspapers, aluminum cans, magazines, and
aluminum foil all can be recycled and used again. It takes a lot less energy to recycle them than it
takes to make them from brand new materials.
Wasting less energy also means being smart about the way we use energy in buildings like this
school because a lot of warm air in the leaks out of this building in the winter just like trying to
use this blanket to try to keep warm when it has a hole in it. So, we have to close the hole to stop
the warm air from escaping, just like you're going to try to stop me from escaping from these
handcuffs. In a building like this, we could put stuff called insulation in the walls and ceiling to
keep the heat from escaping.
We also can be smart by using new inventions that use energy. Take this light bulb. A better
name for it might be heat bulb. It was invented more than 100 years ago, you see it everywhere,
but most of the energy used by these bulbs is wasted as heat, while only a little bit of the energy
is used to give us light. All we have to do to be smart and save lots of energy is change to this
bulb. This is called a fluorescent bulb. It gives us just as much light as that light bulb, uses a lot
less energy, and it lasts a lot longer.
If you want to be sure something is smart about energy, look for this energy star label on it. The
energy star promises that things like washing machines, refrigerators, TVs, or computers will use
less energy and help protect the environment.
Unfortunately, no matter how smart we are with the way we use energy, we can't make the
energy we're using last forever. In the future, we're going to need the kinds of energy that can be
used over and over again , that won't run out, and won't pollute. These are called renewable
sources of energy. Everyone say, "Renewable." Renewable means something can be used again
and again. For example, your hair is renewable. If you cut it, it grows back again.
Right now in Wisconsin we get some of our energy from Renewable Energy Sources like the
sun, wind, and water to give us electricity.
23
Using the wind is a great way to give us electricity. For thousands of years, people have been
trying to figure out how to use the energy of the wind. Sailboats use wind energy to push their
way through water, and we're using the wind to make electricity. Right now, Madison Gas and
Electric is making more and more wind power from other parts of Wisconsin and even Iowa.
We also can use the sun to give us electricity. Solar power means the energy comes from the sun,
and it's just about the cleanest kind of energy there is. It's being used around the world, and even
in ten high schools in Dane County with the help of MG&E to give kids and teachers electricity.
I've brought a few things that work on solar power to show you today. Here's what's called "the
solar panel," which collects the sunlight and turns it into electricity which I can use as a radio or
siren.
This helmet is like a solar air conditioner. The solar panel turns the sunlight into energy, you turn
this switch on, and the fan blows to keep you cool - and you look cool, too.
So, on the one hand, we're still developing renewable energy sources like the sun and wind. On
the other hand, while we do, we're going to continue using fossil fuels. Since this planet is our
home, it's important to keep our environment as healthy as possible, and there are things you kids
can do to make a difference to help make our planet healthy.
Raise your hand if you're in 4th or 5th grade. A few years ago, some 4th and 5th graders at
Hawthorne Elementary School in Madison decided to help the planet by saving energy in their
school. They formed an Energy Club and learned the school spent more than $2500 each month
just for electricity. They decided their goal would be to save an average of $200 per month.
What did they do? First, Energy Club members walked around the school during the day to see if
lights and computers were left on in classrooms when no one was there. Then they went around
school with the custodian looking for lights that could be replaced with fluorescent bulbs. Then
they made a plan and began working on it.
Energy Club members gave presentations to each classroom reminding everyone to "turn off the
juice when not in use" and not to hold the outside doors open in winter since the school would
lose heat. They followed up by checking to see if empty classrooms had left lights or computers
on: if they had, they'd tape a friendly reminder of the door of the classroom. When kids
remembered to turn off the lights, computers or lamps, they gave them an "Energy Saver
Award." They looked for classrooms with lamps and asked teachers if they could replace these
bulbs with fluorescent bulbs.
The results? They saved $780 a month compared to the previous year- almost 4 times their goal!
Kids & teachers got better throughout the year about doing things to save energy. Even little kids
would remind their teachers to turn out the lights in empty rooms.
At homes, many kids convinced their parents to replace these bulbs with these bulbs, and save
energy in other ways, too. Maybe you can convince your parents to switch to these bulbs, too.
So, you can help make a healthy planet by working with other kids, and you can help the planet
by the way you use energy yourself.
24
Let's play a game of Simon Says to help you remember things you can do yourself to help the
planet. Here's how you play. I am Simon. If I say "Simon Says" to do something, you have to do
what I say, but if I don't say "Simon Says" first, don't do it. How many of you already know how
to play Simon Says? That's great, but Simon didn't say to raise your hands. I tricked you. Simon
says everyone put one hand on your foot. I tricked you again. Simon says everyone put one hand
over your head. Simon says put your other hand over your head. Oh, smelly armpits, put your
hands down. Simon didn't say to put your hands down.
Simon says here are five things MGE suggests you and your family can do to help the
environment.
#1 Turn off the juice when not in use. Simon says turn of the juice when not in use means turn
off the TV when you're not watching it or turn off the lights when you're not in the room.
Everyone pretend you're turning off your TV. Simon didn't say to turn off your TV. Simon says
#2 is switching to compact fluorescents means getting rid of these bulbs and replacing them with
these. Simon says pretend you're unscrewing this bulb and replacing it with this bulb. Simon says
#3 is "control your thermostat" which means your Mom or Dad might turn down the heat in your
home a little bit in the winter or the air conditioning a little bit in the summer. Simon says
pretend you're parent turning down the heat. Simon says #4 is washing your laundry in cold
water saves energy. Pretend you're setting the wash to "cold." That's great but Simon didn't say
to set the wash to cold. Simon says #5 is "look for the Energy Star label" means your parents
make sure they're buying stuff that uses energy wisely. Everyone give your parents a round of
applause like this for make smart energy choices.
You kids were great at playing that game. How many of you did I never trick the whole time we
played Simon Says? That's great, but Simon didn't say to raise your hand. Simon says the game
is over.
I believe that if even one person cares about taking care of the planet, it can make a difference.
Even if your families switch to only one of these fluorescent bulbs, it can make a difference.
Gaylord Nelson was a kid just like you who grew up and became a senator from Wisconsin. In
1970, Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea of having a day of activities to teach people how to
take care of our planet. What do you think he called it? That's right, Earth Day. The idea behind
Earth Day is that people like you and me should reach out to try to make a difference in our
planet. It means that having a healthy planet has to start with a promise by each of us. I'm going
to have you make that promise. Repeat after me, "I promise to take care of our planet." If you
help, you may just be surprised by what can happen.
25
Energía Mágica
Hola. Esta demostración trata de la energía, entonces muéstrenme un poco de energía. Hoy
cambiará su manera de pensar porque creo que la mayoría de ustedes dudan que un adulto o un
niño es capaz de hacer algo para cambiar el mundo por lo mejor, al igual como ustedes dudan
que yo pueda sacar esta pelota de baloncesto de este delgado maletín.
La demostración de hoy trata de la energía—algo que tomamos en vano y algo que usamos todo
el tiempo, y como la manera de que usamos la energía afecta a nuestro planeta. Energía significa
algo que o alguien quien tiene la capacidad de trabajar. Todos necesitamos energía—para correr,
jugar, incluso para pensar. Hay muchos tipos diferentes de energía. Frótense las manos. Están
creando energía de calor. La energía necesaria para estas luces es electricidad.
Todos necesitamos energía para vivir y divertirnos. Usamos energía para que nuestros
refrigeradores mantengan nuestros alimentos fríos para que no se echen a perder, electricidad
para cocinar esos alimentos, y necesitamos electricidad para poder mirar a "Hannah Montana" en
la tele.
Todos tenemos el poder de la energía en la punta de los dedos. Con el movimiento de un dedo,
ustedes pueden encender una luz. Ahora, estoy usando la energía de este sistema de sonido para
que todos ustedes puedan oír mi voz. Cuando hago malabarismos con estos anillos, la energía
humana causa a los anillos volar por el aire; sin embargo, fue la energía de una fábrica que hizo
estos anillos.
Necesitamos energía para calentar el agua cuando nos bañamos, energía para que fábricas hagan
los patitos de hule con los que jugamos en el baño, energía para lavar nuestros calzoncillos y
calcetines, y energía para mantener nuestras casas calientes en el invierno y frescas en el verano.
Necesitamos energía para que nuestras fábricas fabriquen muchas cosas que usamos - las gorras
que nos encantan y los libros que leemos. Nosotros no pensamos en la energía todo el tiempo,
pero la usamos en casi todo lo que necesitamos hacer o lo que queremos hacer a solas, con
nuestros amigos, o en nuestras comunidades en todo el mundo. Podrían decir que la energía hace
girar el mundo.
En Wisconsin, usamos energía principalmente producida por carbón de combustión, lo cual es
una piedra negra que sacamos de la tierra; Petróleo; lo cual es un líquido negro como agua que
sacamos de la tierra por manera de perforar la tierra y el océano; y de gas natural, lo cual es
como el aire adentro de un globo. Estos tipos de energía se llaman combustibles fósiles porque
son los restos de animales prehistóricos y plantas que murieron hace millones de años y sus
restos se han transformado lentamente en petróleo, gas natural, y carbón.
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En Wisconsin, tenemos que traer nuestro carbón, petróleo, y gas natural de otras partes fuera del
estado. Una vez que se agote el abastecimiento mundial de estos combustibles fósiles, se
desaparecerán y se irán para siempre, igual como hará desaparecer el agua delante de sus ojos.
Estamos usando combustibles fósiles a una velocidad cada vez más rápida porque la demanda de
energía es mayor en el Condado de Dane, Wisconsin; en el mundo; incluso en la Estatua de
Libertad.
Una cosa que podemos hacer para que no se acaben los combustibles fósiles es usar la energía
inteligentemente, lo cual significa que se alargan el tiempo en lo que podemos usar la energía
que estamos usando. Por ejemplo, si quiero hacer malabarismo con seis objetos, yo puedo
hacerlo de esta manera, pero una manera más fácil de hacerlo y usando menos energía seria así.
Usé menos energía para hacer lo que estaba tratando de hacer - hacer malabarismos con seis
objetos.
También podemos ser inteligentes sobre la energía por - ¿Qué dicen estas palabras? ("USEN
MENOS ENERGÍA") Si todos usamos menos energía, entonces ayudamos al medio ambiente.
En el caso de ustedes, pueden ducharse más rápidamente y así usarán menos energía para
calentar el agua. Sus padres pueden lavar la ropa en agua fría en vez de agua caliente y bajar la
calefacción un poco en el invierno o usar el aire acondicionado con menos frecuencia en el
verano.
Podemos usar menos energía, y también podemos - levanten la mano si pueden leer esto
("DESPILFARRAR MENOS ENERGÍA"). Despilfarrar menos energía significa apagando la
tele cuando no la estén mirando o apagando las luces cuando salen de una habitación.
Despilfarrar menos energía significa reciclar - usando cosas que puedan ser usadas nuevamente
otras veces. Botellas plásticas, periódicos, latas de aluminio, revistas, y papel aluminio pueden
ser reciclados y usados de nuevo. Se usa mucho menos energía para reciclarlos que fabricarlos de
material totalmente nuevo.
Despilfarrar menos energía también significa ser más inteligentes de cómo usamos energía en
edificios como esta escuela. Una gran cantidad de aire caliente se fuga hacia el exterior de este
edificio en el invierno. Es parecido a usar esta cobija para mantenerme caliente cuando tiene este
agujero. Tenemos que cerrar el agujero para prevenir que el aire caliente se escape. Es igual
como ustedes prevenirán mi escape de estas esposas. En un edificio como este, podemos poner
algo que se llama insulación en las paredes y el techo para mantener el calor adentro.
También podemos ser inteligentes usando nuevos inventos que usan energía. Tomen este foco.
Tal vez es mejor nombrarlo un foco de calor. Lo inventó hace más de cien años, y los ven en
todas partes, pero la mayor parte de la energía generada por estos focos se despilfarra en la forma
de calor, dejando sólo un poco para luz. Todo lo que tenemos que hacer para ser inteligente y
ahorrar mucha energía es cambiar estos focos. Esto es un foco fluorescente. Produce la misma
cantidad de luz que este foco, usa menos electricidad, y dura mucho.
Si quieren estar seguros que algo usa energía más eficiente, busque este sello de la estrella de
energía. La estrella de energía promete que aparatos como lavadoras, refrigeradores, televisiones
o computadoras usarán menos energía y ayudarán a proteger el medio ambiente.
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Desafortunadamente, no importa cuantos inteligentes seamos con la manera que usamos la
energía, no podemos asegurar que la energía dure para siempre. En el futuro, necesitaremos
fuentes de energía que podamos usar repetidas veces, fuentes que no se agotarán y que no
contaminarán. Estas se llaman fuentes de energía renovable. Todos digan, "Renovable."
Renovable significa algo que se puede usar repetidas veces. Por ejemplo, el pelo es renovable. Si
lo cortas, crecerá de nuevo.
En Wisconsin, nosotros obtenemos un poco de nuestra energía de fuentes de energía renovable
cómo energía del sol, del viento, y del agua para producir la electricidad.
Usar el poder del viento es una manera excelente para obtener electricidad. Durante miles de
años, la gente ha tratado de utilizar la energía del viento. Los veleros usan la energía del viento
para impulsar su avance en el agua, y nosotros estamos usando el viento para crear electricidad.
Ahora mismo, Madison Gas and Electric está creando más y más energía del viento de otras
partes de Wisconsin y Iowa.
También podemos usar el sol para obtener electricidad. Energía solar significa transformar la
energía del sol en electricidad, y es casi la fuente de energía más limpia que tenemos. Se está
usando alrededor del mundo y incluso en diez escuelas secundarias en el Condado de Dane con
la ayuda de MG&E para dar les la electricidad a niños y maestros. Hoy traje algunos productos
solares para mostrarles a ustedes. Aquí esta lo que se llama un panel solar; este transforma la
energía del sol en electricidad. Lo puedo usar para un radio o una sirena.
Este casco es un tipo de acondicionador de aire solar. El panel solar transforma la energía del sol
en electricidad. Ustedes prenden este interruptor y el ventilador sopla para refrescarlos. También
se parecen "cool."
Por un lado, todavía estamos desarrollando fuentes de energía renovable como la energía del sol
y del viento; por otro lado, seguiremos usando combustibles fósiles. Porque este planeta es
nuestro hogar, es importante mantener nuestro medio ambiente lo más sano posible, y hay
muchas cosas que ustedes pueden hacer para luchar por un medio ambiente saludable.
Levanta la mano si están en el cuarto o quinto grado. Hace pocos años, un grupo de estudiantes
del cuarto y del quinto grado en la escuela primaria de Hawthorne en Madison decidieron ayudar
al planeta por medio de ahorrar energía en su escuela. Formaron un Club de Energía.
Aprendieron que la escuela pagaba más de $2,500 cada mes sólo por electricidad. Decidieron
que su meta sería ahorrar un promedio de $200 cada mes.
¿Qué hicieron? Primero, los miembros del Club de Energía caminaron por la escuela durante el
día para ver si las luces y computadoras se quedaban prendidas en las aulas cuando nadie estaba
usándolas. Entonces anduvieron por la escuela con el custodio buscando luces que podrían ser
reemplazadas con focos fluorescentes. Hicieron un plan y empezaron a trabajar en él.
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Los miembros del Club de Energía hicieron presentaciones a cada clase acordándoles a todos que
"apaguen las luces cuando no las están usando" y que no mantengan las puertas de afuera
abiertas en el invierno porque la escuela perderá calor. Después, confirmaron si las aulas
desocupadas tenían luces o computadoras prendidas: si las tenían, dejaron un aviso amable en la
puerta del aula. Cuando niños se acordaron de apagar las luces, computadoras, o lámparas, les
dieron un premio de "Salva Energía." Buscaron por las aulas con lámparas y les preguntaron a
los maestros si podían reemplazar estos focos con focos fluorescentes.
¿Los resultados? ¡Ahorraron $780 por mes comparado al año anterior, casi 4 veces más que su
meta! Niños y maestros se mejoraron durante el año; hicieron más cosas para ahorrar energía.
Los niños pequeños les acordaban a sus maestros apagar las luces en las aulas desocupadas.
En casa, muchos niños les convencieron a sus padres a reemplazar estos focos por estos focos
fluorescentes, y ahorraron energía en otras maneras también. Tal vez ustedes pueden
convencerles a sus padres a cambiar a estos focos fluorescentes también.
Ustedes pueden tener alguna influencia en el medio ambiente trabajando con otros niños y
también puede influenciar el medio ambiente según la manera en que ustedes usen la energía.
Jugamos Simón Dice para ayudarles acordarse de cosas ustedes mismos pueden hacer para
ayudar al planeta. Así es como se juega. Yo soy Simón. Si yo digo "Simón Dice" que haga algo,
tienen que hacer lo que yo digo, pero si no digo "Simón Dice" primero, no lo hagan. ¿Cuántos de
ustedes ya saben cómo jugar Simón Dice? Qué bien, pero Simón no les dijo que levantarán las
manos. Los engañé. Simón les dice a todos pongan la mano en el pie. Los engañé de nuevo.
Simón les dice pongan la mano en la cabeza. Simón les dice pongan la otra mano en la cabeza.
Ouey, accilas mal olientes, bajen las manos. Simón no les dijo que bajen las manos.
Simón les dice hay 5 cosas que MGE les sugiere que usted y su familia pueden hacer para ayudar
al medio ambiente:
#1 Apaguen la electricidad cuando no la estén usando. Simón les dice que apagar la electricidad
cuando no la estén usando significa apagar la tele cuando no la estén mirando o apagar las luces
cuando no estén en el cuarto. Todos finjan que están apagando su tele. Simón no les dijo que
apagarán la tele.
Simón les dice #2 es cambiar a focos fluorescentes; botan estos focos y reemplazáranlos con
estos. Simón les dice finjan que están desatornillando este foco y reemplazándolo con este foco.
Simón les dice #3 es “controlar su termostato.” Este significa que su mamá o papá podría bajar la
calefacción en su casa un poco en el invierno o el aire acondicionado un poco en el verano.
Simón les dice finjan que sean un padre bajando la calefacción.
Simón les dice #4 es lavar su ropa en agua fría. Ahorren energía. Finjan que están poniendo la
lavadora en agua fría. Eso es excelente pero Simón no les dijo ponga la lavadora en agua fría.
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Simón les dice #5 es busca el sello de la "Estrella de Energía" significa que sus padres se
aseguran que están comprando cosas que usan energía eficientemente. Todos apláudenles a sus
padres por tomar decisiones de energía inteligentes.
Ustedes niños fueron jugadores buenos de ese juego. ¿A cuántos de ustedes no engañé durante el
juego de Simón Dice? Eso es excelente, pero Simón no les dijo que levantarán la mano. Simón
les dice que el juego se terminó.
Yo creo que si solo una persona se preocupe por cuidar el planeta, podría hacer una diferencia. Si
sus familias sólo cambian un foco fluorescente, pueden hacer una diferencia.
Gaylord Nelson era un niño igual a ustedes quien creció y fue un senador de Wisconsin en 1970.
A Gaylord Nelson se le ocurrió la idea de tener un día de actividades para enseñar a la gente
como cuidar a nuestro planeta. ¿Qué piensan que él llamó a ese día? Eso es correcto, el Día de la
Tierra. La idea detrás del Día de la Tierra es que la gente como ustedes y yo debemos tratar de
alcanzar y de lograr un cambio en nuestro planeta. Significa tener un planeta saludable tiene que
comenzar con una promesa personal. Quiero que ustedes hagan esa promesa. Repitan después de
mi, "Prometo cuidar nuestro planeta." Si ustedes lo hacen, tal vez les sorprenderán de las cosas
que pueden pasar.
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Additional Resources
Kids for a Clean Environment
www.kidsface.org
The impetus for the creation of Kids F.A.C.E. was driven by nine-year old Melissa Poe's
correspondence to then-President Bush to help clean up the environment. Over 250 billboards
with Melissa's letter to the president were placed across the United States in April, 1990. Melissa
soon founded kids F.A.C.E. Among their many accomplishments since 1990, Kids F.A.C.E.
members have distributed and planted over 1 million trees.
International Children's Rainforest
www.rainforestweb.org/Rainforest_Information/Sites_for_Kids/
A forest saved by children...The dream began in 1987 at a small, primary school in rural Sweden.
It was the study of tropical forests and the rapidity of their destruction that prompted a teacher
and a nine year old student to want to do something about it. Soon the children, guided by their
teacher, launched a campaign to raise money to purchase threatened rain forest adjacent to the
Monteverde preserve in Costa Rica. Within two years their initial 6 hectare purchase grew to
7,258 hectares. As the spirit swept across other lands, more groups formed and individual
contributions arrived from the far corners of the globe. Teachers and students from all over the
world use the facilities on ecology trips.
In 1994, a second Children's Rainforest was established in Amazonian Ecuador. 'The Jatun Sacha
Bioreserve' covers 3000 hectares, and has become an educational centre as well.
The Children's Rainforest is a Canadian charity whose mission is to help create bio-reserves in
various tropical countries, through land purchases in ecologically rich areas. Funds raised by
school-based environment clubs in Sweden, England, Germany, the U.S.A. and Canada, are used
to purchase forests and set up educational programs.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Environmental Education for Kids (EEK)
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/
This electronic magazine is designed to help students' grades 4-8 to "learn more about the great
outdoors."
Children for a Safe Environment
http://www.c4se.org/index.htm
Nine-year-old, Kory Johnson formed an organization called, Children for a Safe Environment,
which successfully advocated against building a hazardous Waste Incinerator and Dump.
Pump Em'Up: A Campaign to Keep Tires Inflated to Conserve Energy
www.pumpemup.org
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Second-grader Savannah Walters founded Pump 'em Up, a non-profit organization that
encourages drivers to conserve gas by properly inflating their tires.
Very early in her life, Savannah Walters developed a passion for the environment and wildlife.
In second grade, her class did an in-depth study of the Arctic and she fell in love with that wild
place. That same year, she and her family visited the Grand Canyon where she and her little
brother, Garrett, took the Junior Rangers course, which finished with an oath to protect the
environment and teach others to do the same. She took that oath very seriously and when she
learned of proposals to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge she became concerned
about the harmful effects of oil drilling there.
Savannah learned from her friend, Lenny Kohm, that Americans waste 4 million gallons of gas
each day by driving on under-inflated tires and that was more than was expected to come out of
the Arctic Refuge. She asked, "Why would we keep on wasting gas and looking for more when
we could easily just Pump 'em Up?" Lenny encouraged her to keep asking that question. When
she found out car emissions are the number two contributing factor to global warming she really
got motivated. "Even if you don't care about the Arctic, you've got to care about breathing
cleaner air! We can help reduce global warming and save our wild places too." Mobilized by her
passion and with the support of her parents, she recruited family and friends across the country to
join her awareness campaign to promote cleaner air in all our communities by simply getting
people to check their tire pressure.
It's Our World, Too! Community Service Projects for Young People to Make a Difference
www.wi-bpdd.org
The "It's Our World, Too!" curriculum provides numerous true stories of middle school students,
occasionally high school students, and even elementary school students who have encountered
problems which touched their hearts sufficiently to compel them to initiate service projects to
attempt to rectify those problems. They've tackled problems in every imaginable area in which
there is need: the environment, hunger, poverty, HIV/AIDS, cancer, discrimination, and issues
related to helping everyone from babies and senior citizens. Some of their projects have
benefited their local communities while others have helped children throughout the world.
With perseverance, resiliency, ingenuity, and compassion, they have formed organizations with
their peers to tackle many of society's most pressing problems. They've successfully lobbied city
governments, raised millions of dollars for countless worthy causes, and consistently proven that
young people can help change the world.
The "It's Our World, Too" curriculum is unique in that it provides suggestions for service
activities based upon projects successfully undertaken by youth. That is, the project ideas already
have been proven to be worthy rather than simply sounding like "good things to do." Many of
these project ideas can be adapted for elementary school students.
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