Youth Energy Summit (YES!)

YES! envisions educated and empowered youth who foster economic and environmental vitality in partnership with and for their communities. To do this, YES! empowers youth to partner with their community to create economic and environmental vitality through hands-on learning and team-based projects. YES! teams are made up of students in grades 8 through 12, and are guided by local, adult coaches. In 2010-2011, 18 YES! teams participated across southwest and west-central Minnesota.

Students are the energy of the YES! program. YES! provides a unique opportunity for students to learn by engaging directly in community efforts that lead to dramatic demonstrations of renewable energy technology and conservation practices and exposes them to how science is applied in real life.

By participating in YES!, teams are a part of a larger conservation community with access to educational kits & curriculum, YES! coordinators, starter funding and awards. Teams also participate in three action-packed YES! events throughout the year. As a result, teams complete ‘energy-action’ projects that match opportunities with resources in their community.

YES! students gain an understanding that their actions have “such a great impact – not just now but in the future.” By interacting with their community, businesses and peers to complete their projects, the positive impact of their actions only multiplies. As one student enthusiastically commented, “I like to know I’m making a difference!”

Your support will enable these students to continue to have a positive impact on our natural world and local communities as we replicate the YES! model throughout Minnesota.

Please visit www.youthenergysummit.org for further information and project examples.