Students think creatively about energy
June 14, 2011
LONDON, United Kingdom — “When it’s cold, you can just put on extra layers instead of switching on the heating. I modelled my picture on a tea cosy,” said 10-year-old Alice Carter at the Saudi Aramco and National Energy Action (NEA) Energy Day held June 14 at the Science Museum, London.
The event was held for finalists of the Saudi Aramco and NEA “Keeping Kozee” national art competition. Students aged 6 -14 years from across the UK entered creative pieces illustrating what energy efficiency meant to them.
Over 1,000 entries were received, and the shortlisted 15 were invited to attend a day of energy-related activities at the Science Museum. The pupils’ works were put on display at the event, and representatives from Saudi Aramco and the NEA helped select five overall winners.
“Meet the Watt family from planet Energy,” said Lauren Thompson aged nine. Lauren’s creation of a 3D model of a family made entirely out of recycled light bulbs was the winner of the 8- to 9-year-old category. “The model doesn’t need new light bulbs; it only uses recycled ones,” she added.
In addition to the winners being rewarded with prizes, the real benefits go to the winners’ schools, where each of the five schools received a Saudi Aramco donation to improve energy efficiency in their building, benefitting all students.
NEA Director of Communications Maria Wardrobe said, “Hearing the students explain their thoughts behind the creations was just as interesting as seeing the entries themselves. We are over the moon with the entries we received, and the outstanding quality has made it incredibly difficult to judge.”
Nabil Aldabal, managing director of Aramco Overseas Company (AOC), spoke of the company’s support. “We fully support the NEA as their aspirations to promote energy efficiency are in line with our own. Although we are an energy company, we believe it is very important not to waste energy. We must use it wisely. The younger generation are our future and we are delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile project.”
The winning entries will be recreated as greeting cards and displayed on the AOC website, with all proceeds from sales of the cards through the NEA benefitting those with fuel poverty.
James Delaney, aged 6, winner of the 6-7 year old category for the NEA and Saudi Aramco Keeping Kozee Competition
