First State hosts energy education workshop for children

First State Community Action Agency, in partnership with Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, hosted an Energy Workshop for Children in Georgetown June 30. First State invited families from its Repair, Replace Heaters and Conserve Energy Program to participate in the workshop. The RRHACE Program is an income-eligible program which repairs or replaces heating units for homeowners in Delaware. Program funding through the Department of Health and Social Services allows program participants to receive energy education and other energy conservation and financial literacy workshops.

The Energy Workshop for Kids began with dinner for the families provided by Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility. The utility also supplied some of the take-home items listed below. The workshop was facilitated by First State Energy Educator Angela Bivens. During the workshop 25 children, ages 4-17, were able to learn ways to save energy in the home and help parents reduce electric bill costs. A portion of the workshop was conducted in First State’s Energy Center, which provided an atmosphere for hands-on learning and real-time experience of energy conservation tips. Some of the major appliances in the Energy Center were donated by Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.

While the children were learning in the center, parents participated in a survey and briefing about some energy conservation measures they could install in the home. The hourlong presentation concluded with a review for the children, and each child received a goody bag to take home. The bags were filled with reminders of the topics discussed including activity books, educational information, light switch decals, glow-in-the-dark reminders and refrigerator magnets.