- January 3, 2019–January 23, 2019
Kill-a-watt is a residence hall-wide sustainability competition and education program during the month of January. This initiative of Calvin College seeks to be a fulfillment of its vision to be "caretakers of creation and agents of renewal for creation in our daily lives and as a collective community."
See who's winning: Kill-a-Watt point standings
Ways to get involved
DREAM certify your room
What: DREAM stands for Dorm Room Environmental Awareness Movement, and is a certification based on the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification for residential and commercial spaces.
Why: This survey will help you identify ways to reduce resources used by your room and by your daily practices. It also will win a button for your backpack and contribute points towards your dorm.
(Note: survey must be completed before 11:59 p.m. of January 22)
Sign up for Lifestyle Challenges
What: The new year is a prime time to make improvements to how we live our lives, sign up to try out a new sustainable habit for Interim.
Why: Lessen your impact on the planet, make a positive difference in the lives of others, and live out our calling to take care of God's creation... and of course, score big points for your dorm!
(Note: survey must be completed before 11:59 p.m. of Tues January 8)
Recruit Faculty/Staff and Upperclassmen for Lifestyle Challenges
What: Send this link to any faculty/staff members or upperclassmen (junior/senior) friends who would like to join your hall’s team.
Why: Faculty/staff points count double for your hall!
(Note: survey must be completed before 11:59 p.m. of Tues January 8)
Conserve Energy
What: Make the effort this January to shut off lights, unplug unneeded appliances, and use the stairs instead of the elevator.
Why: Saving electricity is a great way to live within our planet’s means and reduce the amount of carbon we release into the atmosphere.
Submit a Plaster Creek Stewards T-Shirt Redesign
Plaster Creek Stewards is having a t-shirt redesign competition to celebrate their 10 year anniversary! Visit the Plaster Creek Stewards Facebook Page to learn more. Earn 10 points for your dorm when you submit a new design, and get to be a part of exciting restoration efforts.
Attend Kill-a-Watt Events
What: A variety of great events will be happening all over campus throughout the month of January, focused on the theme of sustainability. See the list below and look for events being planned in your own dorm.
Why: Each event that you attend will not only allow you to engage with new and important ideas, but will also add points to your dorm's tally!
Kill-a-Watt Events
Creation Care Bible Study and Dorm Worship
Happening all throughout Kill-a-Watt
Gain a deeper understanding of our calling to be caretakers of creation as mandated in the Bible. Talk to your floor Barnabas for details.
Kill-a-Watt Kickoff — Friday, Jan 4 or Saturday, Jan 5
Location: Your dorm!
Look for an email from your RHET for a Kill-a-Watt kickoff party in your dorm!
Clothing Exchange: Thursday, Jan 3—Wednesday, Jan 23
Location: BHT, RVD, SE, NVW, BB, KHvR
Like free clothes? Passionate about sustainability? Come drop by tubs that will be in dorm lobbies for a clothing swap to browse for new clothes or drop off old clothes that don’t fit or you just don’t like anymore! This exchange will run for all of interim so you’ll have plenty of time to look through them more than once.
Sustainability and Faith: Monday, Jan 7, 10 a.m.
Location: Chapel
This week’s Monday chapel is sustainability themed! Come hear from current Calvin students about the connection between sustainability and their faith. Join us in learning what’s in God’s word and how we can worship our Creator through the way we live our lives.
Guided Nature Tours: Tuesday, Jan 15, 4-5 p.m.
Bunker Interpretive Center
Come and enjoy the winter wonderland through a guided nature walk through Calvin’s very own Nature Preserve. There will be hour-long walks guided by Jeanette Henderson, Program Manager of the preserve. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get points for your dorm and see what the preserve has to offer! The adventure will begin inside of the Bunker Interpretive Center. You get points for every member from your dorm that attends, and this event is double points! So get your squad together and head on over.
January Series — William Powers's Sustainability, Happiness, and the "Slow" Movement: Wednesday, Jan 16, 12:30 p.m.
CFAC Auditorium
On Wednesday, January 16, at 12:30pm William Powers, an outspoken advocate for developmental aid and conservation in Latin America, Africa, and North America will be coming to speak on his work in environmental innovation and why it is important for Americans to slow down in a culture that is fast-paced and results oriented. His essays and commentaries on global issues have appeared in the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune and on National Public Radio’s Fresh Air.
DCM film: “Before the Flood”—Wednesday, Jan 16, 8:45 a.m. or 2:15 p.m.
CFAC Recital Hall
Learn about the climate change and it effects, receive credit for your DCM class, and earn Kill-a-watt points all at once! This documentary exploring the impact of climate change on people and the planet. Sustainability Coordinators will lead a short discussion afterwards.
For more information - https://www.beforetheflood.com/
Plaster Creek Stewards Logo Redesign: January 21.
CFAC Recital Hall
Submit your logo redesign by January 21 in order to get points for your dorm! For more information, visit the PCS Facebook page.
January Series — Mary Robinson's Climate Justice: Hope, Resilience & the Fight for a Sustainable Future: Wednesday, Jan 23, 12:30 p.m.
CFAC Auditorium
Earning consistent praise as an unforgettable keynote speaker, Mary Robinson (former president of Ireland) is a champion for climate justice, human rights, gender equality, and corporate responsibility. Robinson frames humanity’s most daunting threat in highly solvable terms, leaving audiences hopeful and inspired to change the course of our planet’s future.
Kill-a-Watt Finale—Tuesday, Jan 22, 8:30 p.m.
Johnny's
DIY corner (Make your own laundry detergent, toothpaste, cleaning wipes), clothing swap and meal exchange using your meal plan at Johnny's.
Join us for the FINAL Kill-a-Watt event on Tuesday, January 22 featuring a clothing swap, Do-It-Yourself activities, poetry open mic, and much more. You won’t want to miss it. Be at Johnny’s to celebrate your Kill-A-Watt success this interim! The night will end with announcing the 2019 Kill-A-Watt champions and presentation of the Trophy of Sustainability.