A teacher and student from Pennsylvania were selected for inclusion in the 2005 Igniting Creative Energy’s “Excellence in Student Creativity” notebook.

Karen Dolan from Bethlehem was recognized for her efforts to restore a nineteenth century grist mill. The Illick’s Mill Project is a unique, non-profit corporation run from Dolan’s classroom at Liberty High School in Bethlehem. Twenty-five seniors and juniors are working together on a restoration project to transform a vacant grist mill into an environmental action center and model for recycling, green technology and sustainable energy.

More than 100 students have participated in the effort since it began in 2001. They have written grants, tested water, scrapped paint, made speeches, generated partnerships and directed fundraising concerts in support of the project and as a result have raised more than $75,000.

Thuy Le, a high school senior from Bethlehem, was also recognized as the winner of the Igniting Creative Energy Challenge’s High School Division. The goal of Thuy’s project was to document practical means of energy conservation in her community through pictures.

The Igniting Creative Energy Challenge is a national K-12 educational competition that students enter by submitting projects illustrating how their wise energy choices and environmental stewardship help reduce energy consumption and improve their communities. Outstanding entries from across the country were chosen for inclusion in the notebook along with the three national student winners.

The challenge is sponsored and funded through an educational grant by Johnson Controls Inc. with additional support from the U.S. Energy Association and administered by the National Energy Foundation.

7/29/2005