We did our research project on the Symmes Township Branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.  This year, the project included doing an energy audit on a building in your community and suggesting ways that the building could save energy.  We talked with experts in the field and asked them for thier opinions, and even had them come to the library to help us with our audit.  Some of our solutions included the Lutron "Ecosystem" that includes manual controls, daylight harvesting sensors, and automatic shades.  This would save 50% of the energy the library uses for lighting.  We also suggested having a Test and Balance performance done by Melink to fix the HV/AC system, and help the air flow better throughout the library.  The library also has major air leaks, which could be fixed simply by replacing weather stripping, or even just closing a door.  We scored excellent in research at regional and state, and we are still waiting for our scores from the FIRST World Festival.  At state, we also won 1st place for Creative Research Presentation.

Our Research Presentation.  We won First Place at the Ohio State Championship for Creative Research Presentation.  These photos are of our presentation to the Library staff.  We did a "human power point" presentation complete with a "mouse".

Our Consulting Experts

Tara Kressler– Branch Manager,

SymmesTownship Branch Public Library http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/

Library Staff and Volunteers–

Symmes Township Branch Public Library

Ted Ellington- Facilities Help Desk Manager,

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

John Telintelo– Architect, LEED certified,

Burgess and Niple

Brennen Matthews- Ohio Valley Area Leader,    

 Lutron Electronics, Inc.

Carol Isch– Architect, CH2M Hill http://www.ch2m.com/

Denis George– Energy Manager, Kroger Corporation

David Smith– Account Specialist, MELINK Corporation  http://www.melinkcorp.com/

Jason Mormon– Account Specialist, MELINK Corporation

Resources

Matthew Schottelkotte– LEED AP, AIA GBBN Architects

Michael Zaretsky–  Architect, Assistant Professor,       University of Cincinnati   

Debby Yerkes- Ohio Energy Project

FIRST LEGO League Project Resources site

Joe Jefferis– Managing Partner, POWERFLOLLC

Duro-Last Roofing, Inc., http://www.duro-last.com/

Blinds Chalet– Customer Service Department

Rainbow Enterprises Inc. Commercial Roofing

Energy Star - http://www.energystar.gov/

Wikipedia- http://www.wikipedia.org/

 POWERFLO LLC

NEED Project—National Energy Education Development Project,

 http://www.need.org/energyinfo.php

LEED- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

PacWind