Blackstone Valley 6^th Graders Asked to think Green

 Green Energy Facts PDF

Whitinsville - Alternatives, ValleyCAST! and the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, are co-sponsoring a poster contest for all 6^th grade students in all eleven towns of the Blackstone Valley. The theme is thinking creatively about Going Green in the Blackstone Valley. The posters must depict awareness or concerns about conservation of natural resources, global warming, and renewable energy sources. 

“The contest ideals are allied closely with two of our initiatives,” says Susan Gately, Executive Director of the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation, “We want to infuse among our students the value of science and engineering in preparation for strong careers with a future, and to emphasize the value of collaboration in the development of team and leadership skills. This contest does both.” 

The poster project encourages creative thinking about what it means to Go Green, differences between renewable and non-renewable energy, and to foster ideas about energy conservation, clean air and water. 

Dennis Rice, Executive Director of Alternatives states that “Alternatives is very proud that the Whitin Mill will use the river, the sun, and the earth to generate 90% of its energy needs.  We hope the poster contest will get people from different walks of life thinking about our environment and just what is possible when we put our heads together.” 

Students may submit a poster as an individual or collaborate with up to two other students as equal participants.  If a partner is someone with different abilities, from another generation, or of a different ethnicity the poster will receive extra points in the judging.  Judging will be based on creativity, language, message, artistry, and diversity. 

“The Going Green in the Blackstone Valley poster contest is an exciting project that will get our students thinking seriously about global warming,” says Michael Gauthier, principal of the Northbridge Middle School, “I have already talked to our science teachers and we are all set to go.” 

The top 3 posters from each school will be selected by school staff by May 9^th, and winning students will receive a $50 savings bonds.  Poster finalists from each school will be exhibited at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill with an opening reception on May 16^th.  Three cash prizes will be given to the winner’s school and will be announced at the Whitin Mill Grand Opening on May 30^th. 

Alternatives has helped hundreds of men and women with disabilities to achieve their dreams: living successfully in their own home, working at meaningful jobs, and developing new relationships in their communities.  For more information visit www.alternativesnet.org  

ValleyCAST! is a coalition of 18 partners whose mission is to build a creative, inclusive, and prosperous community through the celebration of Culture, Arts and Science, Together in the Blackstone Valley.  For more information, visit www.valleycast.org 

The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation provides support for enriching education, developing leadership skills and experiences, and enhancing the quality of life in the Blackstone Valley.  For more information, visit http://www.blackstonevalley.org/education/ 

For more information about the poster contest, contact your town’s 6^th grade school, or Hung Pham at hung.pham@alternativesnet.org or (508) 234-6232 x320.