Tapping into geothermal energy, saving money by changing the type of bulbs in Potsdam's street lights, design and testing of a solar-power electric lawn mower, and an analysis of risks of nuclear power in Massena were among the winning ideas that area youth had for addressing energy and environmental crises.

These were among 72 projects presented by over 140 fourth through twelfth graders at the annual Youth Energy and Environmental Expo (YEEE) April 29 at SUNY Canton. Judges interviewed the students about their ideas to assure the sustainability of our planet. These judges included representatives from Clarkson University, SUNY Canton, St. Lawrence University, Brookfield Renewable Power, the Potsdam Elks, St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES, and the Sustainable Living Project.

Clarkson University Professor Shane Rogers delivered a multimedia keynote address. Highlighting the work of Clarkson's student chapter of Engineers without Borders, he encouraged students to use their creativity and innovative ideas to improve environmental quality and public welfare throughout the world.

First place and honorable mention awards were given to students in three age groups and in categories of analysis, engineering design, and science. Award recipients included:

Grades 4-6 Science

1st Place: GEOTHERMAL ENERGY: Energy is Under Your Feet, by Dominic Molinari, Kara Walrath, Nathan McCarney and Josh Gagnon : Madill Elementary School, Ogdensburg

Honorable Mention: H2O Power, by Trent Horton, Blake Amo and Brayden Amo, St. Marguerite D'Youville Academy, Ogdensburg; and, SOLAR ENERGY: Heat Absorber, by Aidan Putman, Abby Simmons, Brandon Stewart and Max Ahrens: Madill Elementary School, Ogdensburg

Grades 4-6 Analysis

1st Place: Home Insulation Comparison, by Liam Whalen and Gage Raby: Colton-Pierrepont Central School

Honorable Mention: ENERGY TRACKING: Save a Watt, by James Gibson, Morghan Mahnke, Nathaniel Dufore, and Elijah Downie: Madill Elementary School, Ogdensburg; and, Food Gone Local, by Tera Siegfried: Little River Community School, Canton

Grades 4-6 Design

1st Place: Small Windmill, by Evan Rya, Madrid-Waddington Central School

Honorable Mention: Earth House Model, by Madison Gregg, Abby McNamara and Brandi Boyce: Colton-Pierrepont Central School; and, What Does a Sustainable Community Look Like? by Summer Scovil, Lexy Burcume, Madison Cook and Mara Vacarr: Colton-Pierrepont Central School

Grades 7-9 Analysis - 1

1st Place: Paper, Plastic or Neither? by Samantha Dugan : Madrid Waddington School District

Honorable Mention: Deforestation, by Makayla Reed and Abigail Newton: Colton-Pierrepont Central School; and, Humanure, by Mackensie Corse: Little River Community School, Canton

Grades 7-9 Lighting Analysis

1st Place: Saving Money by Changing Streetlights, by Ellie Siegfried: Little River Community School, Canton

Honorable Mention: Saving Energy with Light Bulbs, by Caleb Dollinger: Colton-Pierrepont Central School; and, Light Bulbs, by Gemma DelRossi and Abbie Savage: Canton Central School

Grades 7-9 Design

1st Place: Oscillating Water Column, by Katie Johnson and Clare Jenkins: Colton-Pierrepont Central School

Honorable Mention: Wood Stove, by Lee Dunkelberg: Canton Central School; and, Windmill, by Brody Erwin, Major McKinley and Mark Dumas: Colton-Pierrepont Central School

Grades 10-12 Design

1st Place: Electric Lawn Mower, by Cody Green, Andi-Lynne Remmington, and Danny Fullerton: Colton-Pierrepont Central School; and, Solar House Design, by Amanda Dargie: Canton Central School

Honorable Mention: Potato LE, by Alyssa Clifford and Bryant Wentworth: Canton Central School

Grades 10-12 Analysis-1

1st: Place: School Buses, by Aimee Beaudette and Andrew Tupper: Canton Central School

Honorable Mention: Algae Power, by Kelley Corbine: Canton Central School; and, Electricity for Stoves, by Shelby Bjork and Emma Rexford: Canton Central School

Grades 10-12 Analysis - 2

1st Place: Survey of Potential Risks Pertaining to Proposed Siting of Massena Nuclear Power Plant, by Maddy Stevens and Ian Corse: Little River Community School

Honorable Mention: Solar Road, by Joe Conklin, Josh Mousaw and Eric Mende: Canton Central School; and, Alternative Energy, by Olivia Knowlden: Canton Central School

YEEE is organized by Clarkson University's Office of Educational Partnerships and SUNY Canton. The event is sponsored by the Potsdam Elks, Brookfield Renewable Power, the Wild Center and Stewart's Shops.