http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/05/11/virtual-polar-bear-tries-to-give-kids-an-eco-conscience/ Quirky, funny, and surprising science news from the edge of the known universe. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:34:03 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/05/11/virtual-polar-bear-tries-to-give-kids-an-eco-conscience/comment-page-1/#comment-23373 Sarah Fri, 15 May 2009 19:14:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/05/11/virtual-polar-bear-tries-to-give-kids-an-eco-conscience/#comment-23373 Rachel, relax. Seems to me that this is just one more way that schools are trying to teach their students responsible energy use through a cause-and-effect model. If the students turn off some lights, disconnect their cell chargers, and turn music off when they are not there, they get some instant positive feedback. And, as they grow attached to their "mascot" they do even better. I think this is creative and innovative way to tackle this tough topic. Rachel, relax. Seems to me that this is just one more way that schools are trying to teach their students responsible energy use through a cause-and-effect model. If the students turn off some lights, disconnect their cell chargers, and turn music off when they are not there, they get some instant positive feedback. And, as they grow attached to their “mascot” they do even better. I think this is creative and innovative way to tackle this tough topic.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/05/11/virtual-polar-bear-tries-to-give-kids-an-eco-conscience/comment-page-1/#comment-23372 Paul Fri, 15 May 2009 18:32:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/05/11/virtual-polar-bear-tries-to-give-kids-an-eco-conscience/#comment-23372 I think the idea is a great one. Whatever it takes to get people thinking about how their behavior affects the environment--this one seems smart and worthwhile to me. And if it works, all the better. I think the idea is a great one. Whatever it takes to get people thinking about how their behavior affects the environment–this one seems smart and worthwhile to me. And if it works, all the better.

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