"Igniting Creative Energy" Challanges Students

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 1 - - The National Energy Foundation (NEF) has launched the "Igniting Creative Energy

" challenge. The challenge is an educational competition designed to encourage students to learn more about energy and the environment. Students are asked to submit entries that reflect the competition theme "Igniting Creative Energy" and demonstrate an understanding of what an individual, family or group can do to make a difference in their home or community. Students may express their ideas on energy conservation and the environment in the form of science projects, essays, stories, artwork, photographs, music, video or Web site projects. According to Dr. Edward Dalton, president of the National Energy Foundation, "Education is about helping students build character -- helping them understand the consequences of the choices they make in their lives. We hope our challenge will focus them on understanding how their wise energy choices can

mpact their family, school, and the earth's environment." The challenge is open to all students in grades K-12 in the U.S. and most of Canada. All students who enter will receive an award certificate. The first 2,500 entries will also receive a commemorative 2002 pin. The top three students will each receive an educational experience for themselves and one parent or legal guardian during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

In addition, one teacher with the greatest quantity of quality entries based on the challenge rules will be chosen for the same trip to the games. The most creative and deserving student work will also be published in an Energy Excellence Booklet and posted on the official challenge Web site.

All entries are due by December 15, 2001, and winners will be announced on or before January 2, 2002.

Official rules about the contest and a downloadable entry form can be found at the official challenge Web site, http://www.ignitingcreativeenergy.org The "Igniting Creative Energy" challenge is made possible by an educational grant from Johnson Controls, Inc. with additional support from the United States Energy Association. The National Energy Foundation is a unique 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the development, dissemination, and implementation of supplementary educational materials, programs and courses that relate primarily to energy, water, natural resources, science and math, technology, conservation and the environment. These teaching resources recognize the importance and contribution of natural resources to our economy, to our national security, the environment and our quality of life. USEA is composed of approximately 150 public and private energy-related organizations, corporations and government agencies. It represents the United States in the World Energy Council. Johnson Controls, Inc., is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of seating, interior systems and batteries. For nonresidential facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services, energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls, founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis. Its sales for 2001 totaled $18.4 billion. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.johnsoncontrols.com