By: Eileen Fitzgerald

June 16, 2014

Hundreds of students from five Connecticut Technical High School System schools recently participated in the first-ever Connecticut Clean Trades Summit, held at Central Connecticut State University on May 29. The students presented their findings and recommendations from a year-long investigation of their school’s energy usage and sustainability practices as part of the Connecticut Clean Trades Program.

Henry Abbott Technical High School in Danbury, Ella T. Grasso Technical High in Groton, E.C. Goodwin Technical High in New Britain and Platt Technical High in Milford took part in the program that provided a hands-on introduction to future careers in the energy industry, and offers students the opportunity to make their schools and communities greener.

The program is funded and supported by Energize Connecticut, in partnership with Connecticut Light & Power, the United Illuminating Company and the Connecticut Technical High School System. The Connecticut Business & Industry Association manages the program, and curriculum support comes from the American Forest and Park Association’s Project Learning Tree, supported by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

During the 2013-2014 school year, teams of 40-50 students from each school researched how their school used energy, assessed water and environmental quality, and evaluated recycling efforts. Students then proposed energy-saving solutions, which were presented at the Summit.

A panel of energy experts from Connecticut Light & Power, the United Illuminating Company, Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, Coca-Cola, and the University of New Haven judged each presentation at the Summit and ranked the proposed solutions.

Each participating school will receive a “Scholastic Bright Idea Grant” ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 for students to implement their energy-saving proposals during the 2014-2015 school year.

 

 

Students from Abbot Tech recognized at the first-ever Connecticut Clean Trades Summit. Pictured with them are Connecticut Technical High School System Superintendent Dr. Nivea Torres, United Illuminating’s Marissa Westbrook, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Tracy