Quincy High School, Quincy
Energy Abuse Intervention
Behavior Challenge
We intend to reveal the personal qualities and analyze the behaviors that prevent the adoption and implementation of alternative energy sources. We will show that the choices people could make about energy sources do not always require much effort or deviation from their personal identity, routine, and values—and yet could result in a more sustainable future for our society. We will argue that these choices, when presented in proper context, could appeal to mainstream youth culture. This may have a greater effect than passing policies that are limited by political realities. We will demonstrate this argument by creating a comedic sketch of a series of interventions and rehabilitations of various "fossil fuel abusers". We will make a document of this sketch and distribute it on popular social media networks.
Reaching Zero
Design Challenge
This group of students will be taking the Living Building Challenge. They will be innovating solutions to create a net zero energy, water independent, non-toxic and culturally rich dwelling. Students will first make a preliminary drawing of a dwelling of their design. Next, based on a predetermined local location, students will choose the correct orientation of their dwelling based on the passive solar gain available at the site. After this, through research and interviews with architects and designers, students will incorporate net zero water and energy use as well as materials and process that are safe for all species through time and support a just, equitable world in the final design of their dwelling. Last, they will build a scale, 3-D model of this dwelling.
"Am I worried about our future? Definitely. But then I see the ideas and enthusiasm you brought to today’s competition and I think that your generation will get it figured out.”
—Doug Moore, president, McKinstry