2012 Calendar of Energy Conservation
You've probably heard the grown-ups in your house
say "Turn off the light!" or "Close the refrigerator door!" Have you ever
wondered why? Energy is there whenever we need it - so it's easy to forget
where it comes from, or how much it costs. Every year, we use more energy than
we did the year before. In fact, the amount of energy Americans use has doubled
about every 20 years. All of that energy adds up, and much of it is wasted by
using too much or not using it wisely.
Energy isn't free. The grown-ups in your house pay
for the all the electricity you use. So wasting energy is the same as wasting
money - and we know that's not a good idea! Wasting energy isn't good for the
environment either. Most of the energy sources we depend on, like coal and
natural gas, can't be replaced - once we use them up, they're gone forever.
It might seem like kids can't do much to help. But
every time you turn off a light bulb or close the refrigerator door, you're
saving energy. You can also help by reminding grown-ups to turn the heat down
in the winter, buy energy-smart light bulbs and use appliances the right way.
There are lots of easy ways to save energy at home - and all those
energy-savers add up to a big impact on the environment.
Since 1995, Kissimmee Utility Authority has
produced an annual calendar that promotes energy conservation. We target
children with this program because research shows that conservation messages
delivered early help establish a lifetime of good conservation practices.
KUA invites Osceola County students to use the
power of art to promote energy conservation in our 18th annual calendar art
contest. The annual talent hunt is open to students enrolled in kindergarten
through grade 5, including public, private and homeschooled students.
Students are asked to use crayons, markers, paints
or computer-generated graphics to depict an energy conservation message in
their entry. A panel of local judges will select twelve entries-one for each
calendar month-that will be featured in our 2012 calendar. One grand winner
will be selected from the twelve winners and he/she with have their name and
artwork added to a KUA vehicle for one year for the entire community to see.
The grand winner will also be featured on the calendar's cover. In addition,
the grand winner's school will receive $500 in art supplies and the school with
the most total student entries will receive $250 in art supplies.
The deadline for entries is
5:00 pm on Friday, Oct. 14, 2011.