Senior at Elk Grove HS Creates Interactive Computer Game, Winning First Place in Think Green Contest

ELK GROVE, Calif. - Dec. 10, 2013 - PRLog -- Beutler Air Conditioning and Plumbing, a leading residential heating and air conditioning service company in Sacramento, in partnership with the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD), today announced the student winners of the “Think Green” energy conservation contest. Edmond Lee, a 12th grade student from Monterey Trail High School, won the high school grand prize of $150 for his recycling-themed video game. Brandon Cerezo of Toby Johnson Middle School was awarded the first place middle school prize of $150 for his drawing and essay titled, “If you want to save bears that are polar, use panels that are solar!”

October was recognized as Energy Conservation Month by the EGUSD, and the district created the “Think Green” contest to inspire local students to expand their critical-thinking skills and develop projects, models and essays focusing on energy conservation in their communities. EGUSD students in grades 7 through 12 submitted their projects between Oct. 15 and Nov. 14, and winning selections were made by Beutler’s General Manager Jim Anderberg based on creativity, sustainability, topic-specificity, impact and functionality.

Lee’s energy-saving themed video game, Scrap Metal Alchemist, utilizes the idea that aluminum can be recycled into energy. Tinny, the main character of the game, has to go through a series of obstacles to help his city fight back against the “litterthugs.” By collecting bottle caps along the way, Tinny can defeat the “trash heap minions” and save energy in his city. It took Lee nearly a month to create the game due to numerous bugs and alternate coding that needed to be fixed.

“Our partnership with the Elk Grove Unified School District was a great way for Beutler to give back to our local schools while raising awareness of energy conservation among Elk Grove youth,” said Anderberg. “We were impressed with the innovative and creative submissions, and the amount of enthusiasm the students brought to the project. Our hope is that this will be the first of more green community initiatives.”

Along with Lee and Cerezo, the contest winners include:

Second place high school winner with a $75 cash reward is John Barragan from Sheldon High School with his drawing and essay on using white roofs and white buildings to reflect most heat absorbed into the building.

Second place middle school winner and recipient of $75 is Aubrey Lee of Toby Johnson Middle School, with her idea to use magnets instead of fuel to power cars and helicopters.

Third place middle school winner and recipient of $50 is Christopher Specht of Toby Johnson Middle School, with his idea to invent pads that turn lights on and off when stepped on.

In addition to cash prizes for the winners, Beutler is matching the total prize earnings with $250 donations going to both Tobey Johnson Middle School and Monterey Trail High School for garnering more student participation than any other schools in the EGUSD.

For more information about Beutler’s award-winning heating, air conditioning, indoor air quality and plumbing services and to make a Home Service Plan appointment, visit www.beutler.com. For more information about the Elk Grove Unified School District, visit http://www.egusd.net/.

About Beutler

Beutler Air Conditioning & Plumbing is a premier provider of plumbing services to residential, new construction and commercial customers.   Beutler Air Conditioning & Plumbing has established itself as a leader in the plumbing industry, setting the standard as a plumbing provider in the greater Sacramento area that customers trust and turn to for all of their plumbing service, repair and installation needs. Beutler Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers products that are energy efficient, environmentally focused and support new green technology. Part of the ARS Network, Beutler serves both residential and light commercial customers through a knowledgeable team of trained specialists. The company provides the area’s most comprehensive HVAC and plumbing services, including residential new construction, warranty, replacement, enhancement and maintenance services. For more information, visit www.beutler.com.

About the Elk Grove Unified School District

Since unification in 1959, the Elk Grove Unified School District has provided a learning community that challenges allstudents to realize their greatest potential.  With more than 61,000 students, Elk Grove Unified is the largest school district in Northern California and the fifth largest in California.  Elk Grove Unified covers 320 square miles and serves students in the cities of Sacramento, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, as well as unincorporated areas of Sacramento County.  From elementary school to high school, the emphasis is on preparing students to be successful in college and their chosen careers.  Teachers and staff focus on rigorous academic skills and lessons that prepare students for the 21st century workforce and global economy.  Elk Grove Unified has been recognized both statewide and nationally for innovation in professional development as well as career technical education.  For more information about the Elk Grove Unified School District, please visit www.egusd.net and follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ElkGroveUnified) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/elkgroveunified).