SUNY Canton Hosts 150 Grade 4-12 Students for 2010 Youth Energy and Environmental Expo

North Country students demonstrated their knowledge about environmental and energy issues as they displayed their projects at the Youth Energy and Environmental Expo. Over 150 students, ranging from elementary through high school, filled the Miller Campus  Center at SUNY Canton for the annual event. Dominic Frongillo, a member of SustainUS and a youth delegate to the Copenhagen Climate Conference last December, was the keynote speaker. He delivered a multimedia message that youth can make a difference reducing their greenhouse gas emissions personally and advocating for policy changes at the national and international level.
The 75 science-fair type projects ranged from analysis of the benefits greenhouses and composting, to quantifying the efficiency of different renewable energy sources, to the design and construction of solar powered water heaters. Teams of volunteer judges interviewed the students to determine their subject knowledge, team work, and independence in completing their project. Trophies were awarded for first and second place based on grade level and topic. The winners were:


Level- grades 4-6

Topic – Analysis
First Place:      “Do Energy Star Refrigerators Use Less Energy?”                                                                       Sadie Rose Knight, Mara Vaccaro, Abigail Newton and Claire Jenkins                                                                        Colton-Pierrepont Central School District

Second Place: “Cut That Phantom Load”
Michael Shea, Sage Richards, Kylie Downey, Kim Distasio                                                                           Colton-Pierrepont Central School District

Topic – Science
First Place:      “Fiberglass vs. Cellulose: Which is better?                                                                               Alicia Garcia, Jillian Lincoln, Miranda McGaw, Ogdensburg City School District
Second Place: “Greenhouse Energy”                                                                                                                        Jessica Sheets, Mathew Caulkins, Madrid-Waddington Central School
Topic – Engineering
First Place:      “Wind  Power?”                                                                                                                               Allen Smithers, Danielle Guimond, Madison Bresett, Ogdensburg City School District
Second Place: “Plasma Converter”, Jay Schechter                                                                                                 Little River Community School


Level- grades 7-9

Topic – Analysis: Transportation
First Place:      “How to Make Your Car Green”.   Mackenzie Corse                                                               Little River Community School
Second Place: “Ways to Get to School”. Ellie Siegfried                                                                                         Little River Community School
Topic – Analysis: Saving Energy
First Place:      “Save Money Using Light Bulbs, Corey Lamb                                                                              Madrid-Waddington Central School District
Second Place: “Warming Poster”,    Kylee Gotham, Canton Central School District
Topic – Engineering
First Place:      “The Knight Water Heater, Mauve Bowdish, Jimmy Robinson, Jake Putney, Beth Crowley                          Lisbon Central School District
Second Place: “The Green Tower”,    Jackie Sovie , Lisbon Central School District



Level- grades 10-12

Topic – Analysis: Household
First Place:      “The Importance of Insulation”,  Andy Patterson, Sarah Bruw                                         Chateaugay Central School District
Second Place: “Wind vs. Coal”,    Jake Newman, Nate Christy,   Canton Central School District
Topic – Analysis: Miscellaneous
First Place:      “Hydropower “Julie Silhol-Perona, Kaitlin Flint,   Canton Central School
Second Place: “Peak Oil Video”,    Deana Murray, Brittaney Trombly, Norwood-Norfolk Central School
Topic – Analysis: Energy Sources
First Place:      “Solar Panel and Solar Highways”, Nicole Potter, Kayt Person                                          Canton Central School
Second Place: “Solar vs. Wind” Holly Fanning, Nicole Murdie, Canton Central School

Topic – Engineering
First Place:      “Cooking Oil to Biodiesel”,   Darrius Merrill, Jacoby Richards                                                       Chateaugay Central School
Second Place: “Let the Sun Shine”,   Donovan Adams, Brittany Schermerhorn, Ashley LaVair,                         
Gouverneur Central School

The Youth Energy and Environmental Expo (YEEE) was organized and sponsored by Clarkson University’s Office of Educational Partnerships and hosted by SUNY Canton.  Dr. Susan Powers of Clarkson University and Mike Newtown of  SUNY Canton coordinated this year's event.

The Potsdam Elks, Stewart’s Ice Cream, St. Lawrence University and the Wild Center all donated supplies and awards to share with the participants.  A large crew of volunteers helped through judging and coordinating the event.  These volunteers included representatives from the faculty, staff and students from SUNY Canton, Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University, the Potsdam Elks Lodge, Brookfield Power, the Wild Center, the Potsdam-Canton Transition Group, and the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES. YEEE is an annual event that encourages the use of relevant project to help improve the energy literacy of our region’s youth.