What do vending machines, water fountains, printers, and light switches all have in common? They all need something to power them. But how often do students stop to consider where that electricity actually comes from?
Three CFACT Collegians from across the country set out to make sure that question stuck in students’ minds.
CFACT Collegian Ian Hsu highlights the energy sources powering Arizona’s grid.
As part of CFACT’s Powered by Stickers initiative, students at Arizona State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Clemson University took an unconventional approach to energy education by leaving little reminders that the electronics students use every day aren’t powered by magic.
At Arizona State University, CFACT Collegian Ian Hsu had plenty of energy sources to highlight. The Grand Canyon State’s electricity mix includes nuclear power from the massive Palo Verde Generating Station, along with natural gas and coal. Rather than letting those sources go unnoticed, Ian placed stickers on and near campus electronics, giving passing students a reminder of the power plants and infrastructure working behind the scenes.
CFACT Collegian Anna-Ramsey Watson makes nuclear and natural gas awareness stick across campus.
Across the country at Clemson University, CFACT Collegian Anna-Ramsey Watson made sure two of South Carolina’s major energy sources — nuclear power and natural gas — got some well-deserved recognition. While both often find themselves at the center of energy debates, these energy sources are highly effective and efficient. Anna-Ramsey showed off just how important natural gas and nuclear power are on her campus — from vending machines and desktop computers to parking meters and even the campus mailboxes.
CFACT Collegian Jonathan Cha spreads the word about natural gas, one sticker at a time.
Meanwhile, way down in Texas, CFACT Collegian Jonathan Cha was making sure natural gas got its moment in the spotlight at UT Austin. While fossil fuels often face criticism, Jonathan wanted students to recognize just how important natural gas is to the electricity they rely on every day. By placing dozens of “Natural Gas Powers the 40 Acres” stickers on electric scooters, microwaves, laptops, and more, he gave students a point to ponder about the energy keeping their campus up and running.
From the Forty Acres to Clemson’s campus and the Arizona desert, the message was simple: The conveniences students count on every day depend on energy sources they may rarely stop to appreciate.
As debates regarding fossil fuels, nuclear, and the future of American energy continue, understanding exactly where electricity comes from and what campus life, for example, would look like without it is more important than ever before.
Sometimes, all it takes to get people thinking about energy is a sticker in the right place.
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The post CFACT Collegians Make Energy Education Stick was first published by the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), and is republished here with permission. Please support their efforts.
