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What is Cool It?
Cool It! is a competition in which students learn about the science of climate change, and then create real local solutions to this global problem. Cool It! is open to all Connecticut middle and high school students. Students can participate through their schools, including home schools or through after school programs, community centers, or other youth organizations. Read the Cool It! rules for complete information on the program.
How to Cool It!
There are three steps to Cool It: The Climate Change Challenge:
Students and their adult coach put together their team, and the coach completes the online team registration form.
Teams may contain from one to fifteen student members and one adult coach. Other adults may help and support the team. See the Cool It! Rules for more information.
During this phase students should be learning about climate science and the causes of climate change. See the Climate Science Resources section of the Cool It! web site.
Teams will conduct a greenhouse gas (ghg) inventory of their school, home, or other chosen site.
- The ghg inventory measures the energy used, and the greenhouse gasses emitted, for all the activities that go on in the site over a one-year period.
- GHG Inventory forms will be available on the Cool It! Forms page of the web site.
Teams create a Climate Change Solution Plan.
- Teams research and discuss what actions they can take in their schools, homes or communities and put together a local solution plan. Looking for a project idea? Check out the 12 Steps to a Sustainable High School for some ideas.
- Solution plan Guidelines will be available on the Cool It! web site.
Teams must submit their ghg inventories and Solution Plans by April 18, 2008.
Judging of Climate Change Solution Plans
First round judging -finalist teams selected: April 26, 2008.
Final judging and awards event: May 17, 2008.
Phase 1 Awards for 2008 (teams may win one or more awards!):
Phase 1 Middle School Division Awards:
· Innovative Solution Award $1000
· Teamwork Award $1000
· Collaborative Work Award (outside of the team) $1000
· Climate Change Impact Award $1000
· Presentation to Judges $1000 Phase 1 High School Division Awards
· Innovative Solution Award $1000
· Teamwork Award $1000
· Collaborative Work Award (outside of the team) $1000
· Climate Change Impact Award $1000
· Presentation to Judges $1000 3) Phase 2, Getting Results: The Cool Results Award
March 2007 – April. 2008
The $10,000 Cool Results Award will be awarded to the team that has the best results after putting their Solution Plan into action for one year.
All teams who submit Solution Plans, on time for 2007, are eligible to win the $10,000 2008 Cool Results Award, whether or not their Solution Plan won an award.
Teams must submit an implementation report, documenting results of their project, by April 18, 2008.
Be sure to read the Cool It! rules for important information on the program.
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