400 5th Graders in the City Receive Climate Action Activity Kits
City of Charlottesville Water and Energy Management, Virginia Discovery Museum, and Walker Upper Elementary and C3 partnership.
This press release was originally published on Thursday, April 22nd, 2021
##PRESS RELEASE##
Charlottesville, Virginia – Thursday, April 22nd, 2021
This 51st Earth Day, 400 5th graders at Walker Upper Elementary School in Charlottesville will receive Climate Action Activity Kits created by the Community Climate Collaborative and the Virginia Discovery Museum in partnership with the City of Charlottesville. The kits were designed to help students gain a greater understanding of home water and energy use and climate emissions, while connecting families to local energy and water-efficiency solutions.
The kit includes an energy scavenger hunt and grown-up guide with information on local rebates and energy efficiency resources; plant your own herb garden/decorate a pot; a t-shirt with art materials to create and decorate a reusable grocery bag; a solar-powered night light; and a water leak detection activity. Kits will be offered in both English and Spanish.
Members of the media are invited to an opportunity for photos and interviews:
Thursday, April 22nd at 4pm, Walker Upper Elementary School, 1564 Dairy Road, Charlottesville.
VISUALS: Delivery truck loaded with 400 kits; Climate Action Activity Kits, including contents.
The funding for the climate activity kits was provided by the City of Charlottesville’s Energy and Water Management Program, the D.N. Batten Foundation, and the Community Climate Collaborative.
Quotes from Partner Organizations:
“The Virginia Discovery Museum was delighted to partner with C3 to create Climate Action Kits to support Charlottesville City Fifth Graders. These kits are part of the museum’s ongoing efforts to support our community’s students in hands-on learning and scientific exploration, and to engage local youth in thinking about how to be good stewards in their community,” said VDM Executive Director, Janine Dozier.
Chris Snyder, Walker Upper Elementary Math/Science Teacher said, “Walker is so grateful for the action climate kits from the Community Climate Collaborative! These kits have meaningful and applicable activities that encourage students to save energy in their homes and at school. The activities will make such a positive impact on our students and their environment this school year and beyond!”
“The City’s Energy and Water Management Program is excited to help bring these Climate Action Kits to Charlottesville City School students. We have been working with Charlottesville City Schools on ways students can save energy and water for over a year and a half, and having the opportunity to provide a hands-on activity to further support our program’s message will be instrumental in getting students to implement change at school and at home,” said Jill Greiner, the Water Efficiency Program Coordinator for the City of Charlottesville.
“We’re excited to partner with science teachers and 5th graders to help connect their classroom learning with climate solutions in their own home. It’s been a difficult year for kids, teachers, and families. We’re grateful to provide some interactive hands-on learning as well as helpful water and energy efficiency resources,” said Teri Kent, Director of Programs for C3.
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About the Community Climate Collaborative The Community Climate Collaborative aims to bring communities together to lead on climate by working closely with schools, businesses, citizens, and local governments to implement carbon emissions reductions, develop climate action plans, and enact equitable policies that accelerate climate action. Our Home Energy Challenge and the Better Business Challenge deliver climate solutions that are practical, tangible, and quantifiable. Visit theclimatecollaborative.org.
About the Virginia Discovery Museum For 39 years, the Virginia Discovery Museum has provided educational and enrichment opportunities in literacy, science, math, and the arts to the children of the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. It is the mission of the museum to foster intellectual curiosity and development for all children in the community. In 2019, the museum welcomed 72,000 visitors, over 23% of which came to the museum free of charge. The museum partners with over 100 Charlottesville community organizations to offer programs and events and relies on the support of over 300 volunteers who range in age from 14-80. Visit www.vadm.org.
About the City of Charlottesville The City of Charlottesville has been supporting the Charlottesville community's reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) since 2006 through a variety of programs and community partnerships. Residential energy use is the largest source of GHGs in our community and activities like in this kit help educate our growing youth and bring lessons seen in the classroom and around school back into the home. The City has committed to a 45% GHG reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Learn more at charlottesville.gov/climate and contribute to the City's climate action plan at charlottesville.gov/climateplan.
The City of Charlottesville’s Energy and Water Management Program has been working with Charlottesville City Schools since 2019 to educate staff and students on how to reduce their carbon footprints while utilizing school facilities showing a commitment to achieving and maintaining high performing school facilities. To learn more about the Energy and Water Management Program, visit their website at Charlottesville.gov/EnergyWater.
PRESS CONTACT: Teri Kent, Director of Programs and Communication, Community Climate Collaborative, (434) 466-5157, or teri@theclimatecollaborative.org