Congratulations to the Renaissance Nerds for taking first prize in a regional research competition this month. This group of 13 green teens mapped out an earth-friendly resolution for their community in 2008.
They call themselves TORN √¢‚Ǩ‚Äù the Technological Organization of Renaissance Nerds √¢‚Ǩ‚Äù and competed in the FIRST Lego League at Mt. Hebron on December 1, guided by Todd Smith, 6th Grade science teacher and robotics coach. From Montclair’s BOE website:

“Each year a project is required, based on a theme consistent with today’s issues and technologies. This year it was energy, and we conducted a complete energy audit in our school.
“We proposed an energy efficient revamping of the building’s energy infrastructure consisting of fluorescent lights, LED Exit signs, radiator reflectors, door weather strippiing, and water flow restrictors, among other suggestions.”
“The proposed upgrade,” continued Smith, “would cost over $30,000 and save over $11,000 per year in energy cost savings √¢‚Ǩ‚Äù a very nice return on investment, and very earth-friendly too.”

They are buying these compact fluorescent bulbs (CFBs) as part of the ongoing schoolwide effort to raise energy consciousness. The goal is to get each student in the school to buy at least four CFBs before the holidays.
Members of TORN: Kailan Ottaway, Max Karasick, Owen Mizrahi, Richard Kopelow, Andrew Walker-Sorina, Jordan Harrod, Jonah Jablons, Maggie Rosen-Filardo, Reid Cucci, Jalil Alidoost, Mete Erdi, Kaan Erdi, and Christopher Cox.

12 replies on “It’s Hip To Be A Nerd”

  1. Congradulations, Kids.
    I judged them at the 2006 Lego Competition. They impressed all of the judges with there knowledge as well as there organizational skill. Todd Smith does a great job. These kids are awesome.

  2. Sounds good, but I’m a bit skeptical about those numbers–$11k is quite an energy cost savings for a $30k investment. I’ll need to see an audit, preferably by ROC.

  8. I wonder if the BOE will actually implement any of these suggestions in any of the Montclair schools (fixing the broken window mentioned in the presentation would be a start).
    It would be be interresting to see the appendices, since that is where the analysis is.

  11. Maybe the kids could bring it in for the origional 35 megabucks.
    Seriously, though, are any of these ideas being implemented in the new school? It’s a lot cheaper to install LED exit signs, more efficient florecent light fixtures etc. in a new building than to retro fit an old one.
    Happy New Year Nana. Your insites are always dead on, and you somehow manage to keep your sense of humor despite the crazyness on this board.

  12. Maybe the kids could bring it in for the origional 35 megabucks.
    Seriously, though, are any of these ideas being implemented in the new school? It’s a lot cheaper to install LED exit signs, more efficient florecent light fixtures etc. in a new building than to retro fit an old one.
    Happy New Year Nana. Your insites are always dead on, and you somehow manage to keep your sense of humor despite the crazyness on this board.

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