October 10, 2007 – Toledo, OH – Three teachers from the Diocese of Toledo were chosen to pilot the “BE E3 SMART (Energy Efficiency Education) Program sponsored by the Ohio Energy Project. A grant from the Ohio EPA/Ohio Environmental Education Fund makes this program possible to 77 teachers throughout the state.

Colleen Goehler a second grade teacher and Lisa Cinadr a fifth grade teacher at St. Patrick’s in Bryan, and Cathie Ujvagi a sixth grade teacher at St. Pius X in Toledo, attended training in August to learn about the program, and how to implement energy concepts and energy conservation strategies into their classrooms. The program correlates energy conservation with the National Science Education Content Standards and the Ohio Department of Education Science Standards. All three teachers received over $500 in science equipment, supplies, and materials to use with their students and families during the pilot program. Using a school to home model, the students will learn about energy in schools and then the teachers will be able to provide their students with items designed to reduce energy use in their homes.

For more information, please contact the Catholic Youth and School Services Office at 419-244-6711.