Utilities

Become a secret agent investigating a tricky suspect—energy! Our secret agent training class consists of 3 major activities that focus on light, heat, and electricity. Students will use tools like light meters, laser thermometers, and Kill-a-watt meters to uncover the clues to find energy even when it’s disguised in concepts like magnets and phantom power. This interactive program allows students to make their own energy discoveries based on independent measurements, while also working together as a class to understand the importance of energy conservation.

Grade Level: 4th

Program Length: 1 hour

Do you know where your energy comes from? In this program, students will go on ‘energy hunts’ around the room to find hidden items that represent coal—Fort Collins’ most widely used source of fuel. We introduce the other common energy sources in Fort Collins to the quest to illustrate the concept of renewable vs nonrenewable sources of energy and encourage students to ask questions and hypothesize about the future of energy in Fort Collins.

Grade Level: 2nd - 5th

Program Length: 35 minutes

Learn how to harness the wind in this interesting and fun engineering challenge! Using a three foot tall wind turbine, a multimeter, and a variety of turbine blades and weights, students will investigate the most efficient design of a wind turbine and the factors that determine its success. The class will analyze the results of the challenge to learn more about Fort Collins’ largest source of renewable energy!

Grade Level: 6th

Program Length: 1 hour

In this short, fun lesson, students become a water droplet and take a journey through the water cycle. With a roll of the dice, students travel to the ocean, the clouds, or even the roots of a plant. Students learn that water can be found everywhere by comparing their journey to their classmates’. This program is a check-out kit.

Grade Level: 3rd

Program Length: 20-30 minutes

Think Outside the Drop! Raindrops pick up chemicals, oil, leaves and branches, and dog poop and carry them to our rivers, lakes, and streams. We can all help keep our water clean by keeping pollution out. Just Passing Through introduces stormwater and pollution prevention, comparing natural and manmade wetland filters through an interactive game. The group will experience the flow of stormwater from raindrops as it crosses the landscape on its path to a stream and discover how plants slow the flow to prevent flooding and water pollution.

Age/Grade Level: 2nd - Adult

Program Length: 30 minutes

Treat water right! Water from the toilet, sink, washing machine, shower, and dishwasher drains to wastewater reclamation facilities. Scrubbing Sludge demonstrates the steps Fort Collins Utilities takes to clean wastewater and return it to the water cycle. Natural and man-made water filtration systems have many common components and play important roles in maintaining water quality. In the program, students will compare natural water filtering systems with man-made ones through hands-on demonstrations and creating their own natural system simulation. Discover how Fort Collins treats water right.

Age/Grade Level: 6th - 8th

Program Length: 1 hour

Does it really matter if you turn off the light or take a shorter shower? We’ll guide you through a fun design challenge that encourages teamwork and communication and demonstrates the power of small actions to make a big impact on our planet!

Age/Grade Level: 3rd - Adult

Program Length: 20-30 minutes

There are many solutions to climate change—which ones will you choose? Take on the role of City Council members as you learn about and debate different local and global strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Ultimately, you’ll create and present your own plan for reducing our emissions to 80% below 2005 levels by 2030.

Age/Grade Level: 7th - Adult 

Program Length: 60-90 minutes

Inspired by the popular TV show, Climate Shark Tank makes talking about climate change FUN. We’ll discuss our City’s climate goals, introduce innovative local and global strategies for reducing emissions, and give your students the chance to make the perfect “pitch” for switching to LED lights or building green rooftops.  This program is perfect for creative and competitive groups—sustainable prizes are on the line!

Age/Grade Level: 7th - Adult 

Program Length: 60 minutes

Join the Litterati! The Litterati app combines technology and photography with a trash pickup to get students inspired to make a difference.  Participants photograph and tag the trash they find, building awareness around sources of litter in the community.  We’ll provide education on the impacts of trash on our planet and our local natural resources.  This program is great as a companion to our Watershed Field Trips, or as a stand-alone program!

Age/Grade Level: 7th - Adult

Program Length: 30-60 minutes

It’s time to put your students’ sustainability ideas into action! Project 2020 empowers students to pursue their own projects that help us reach our Climate Action Plan goals through energy conservation recycling, saving water, and more!  We offer activities that help your students refine and implement their ideas, and may be able to assist with funding projects.

Age/Grade Level: All ages! 

Program Length: 1 hour

Make presentation requests for non-profit groups, clubs, organizations, events, and more. 

Presentations include: 

• conservation, efficiency and general utility information (for businesses, homeowner's associations, multifamily housing groups)
• team-building design challenges and workshops
• conservation competition challenges

Efficiency Works-Business, in partnership with Fort Collins Utilities, provides monthly technical trainings on a variety of topics, including lighting, HVAC, office efficiency, emerging technologies, building envelope and solar.

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