TERC and the Girl Scouts of America are partnering to create an energy monitoring and conservation after school program for approximately 5,500 girls ages 8-11 in eastern Massachusetts. The goals of the Girls Energy Conservation Corps (GECCo) after school project are to involve girls in learning and applying science, using technology, developing leadership and communication skills, educating peers, saving energy, and addressing the global issue of climate change. The project is (1) developing activity-based Energy Detective Kits to help girls understand, monitor, and reduce energy use, (2) adapting devices for measuring home electricity consumption, and (3) developing guidelines for using new media (such as YouTube) to engage girls in science and helping them use new media to inform and communicate their experiences and findings to Girl Scouts nationally. Project participants are cumulatively reducing their energy consumption and adopting more sustainable lifestyles.
