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December 16, 2009
Naperville, IL – Today Nicor encouraged Illinois students to enter its annual Energy by Design poster contest and utilize their holiday breaks from school to create their energy efficiency posters. Students who create winning designs can receive prizes which range from $75 – $1000. In addition, they also acquire the knowledge learned by participating in the contest and the recognition for their winning entry.
Energy by Design is a visual arts contest designed to bring students, teachers, and families together to become more aware of how to use energy wisely and its effects on the environment. Students in grades kindergarten through eighth who attend schools within the Nicor Gas service area are eligible to participate. Energy by Design was developed by Nicor and the National Energy Foundation to enhance Nicor’s existing free natural gas instructional materials program in a new and exciting way.
“Nicor’s poster contest is an opportunity for students to win various prizes for themselves and their class by using creativity and imagination to showcase using energy wisely,” said Margi Schiemann, Director of Community Relations for Nicor Gas. “When students learn about the importance of energy efficiency, they share that knowledge with family and friends, allowing us all to make informed and sensible decisions about our environment,” Schiemann continued.
To enter the Energy by Design contest, administered by teachers who chose to participate, young students are invited to create a poster that will educate others on how to be energy efficient. Contest materials, with “green tips” about the environment, encourage students to think about how they use energy and what they can do to promote energy efficiency. Students are also asked to write a short reflection about the most important lesson they learned while creating their poster.
Entries are divided into three age-appropriate categories: grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. In each grade category there are four winners – Grand Prize and First, Second, and Third Place Finalists. There is also a category to award each teacher whose student wins the Grand Prize. All contest participants will receive a certificate of recognition.
The deadline to enter is February 5, 2010. A panel of independent judges will choose winners in the three grade categories: K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Winners will be notified in late March.
Prizes for Winners:
- $1000 U.S. savings bond (Grand Prize Winners)
- $200 U.S. savings bond (Top Three Finalists in each category)
- Pizza party for their classroom (up to $200)
- Prize pack filled with fun, age-appropriate prizes ($75 value)
- Congratulatory plaque recognizing the student (which may be displayed at the winners’ schools)
The winning teacher in each category will receive a classroom grant of $1000 and a congratulatory plaque.
Contest information packets and registration materials can also be downloaded at EnergybyDesign.org.
Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Its primary business is Nicor Gas, one of the nation’s largest natural gas distribution companies. Nicor owns Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region and the Bahamas. In addition, the company owns and has an equity interest in several energy-related businesses. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicor.com. | 
