Taking on the Teenagers - Using Adolescent Energy to Reduce Energy Use

Lead Research Organisation: Northumbria University
Department Name: Fac of Health and Life Sciences

Abstract

Please see lead proposal - Linked to EP/I000720/1 joint reference is K114503

Planned Impact

Please see lead proposal - Linked to EP/I000720/1 joint reference is K114503

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description We developed an online intervention to increase teenagers behaviour with regard to reducing their energy consumption. In the study, an online energy-saving intervention was developed based on implementation intentions, a widely used psychological behaviour change technique. A total of 180 adolescents, aged 13 to 15 years, were recruited using purposeful sampling and were allocated to either the intervention or control condition. A significant increase in adolescent's self-reported energy-saving behavior was found among adolescents who had received the intervention, which was sustained at the 6-week follow-up. However, some adolescents were more affected by the intervention than others; adolescents who already actively engaged in energy saving (as identified by their readiness to change prior to the intervention) reported a significant increase in energy-saving behaviours as a consequence of participation in the intervention, whereas those who were not already saving energy did not.
Exploitation Route The use of online interventions to change behaviour
Sectors Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Education

Energy

URL http://eab.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/04/28/0013916515583550.abstract
 
Description Energy Awareness Day hosted by Northumbria University that was attended by 101 teenagers (Mean age = 13.65) from four local secondary schools in the North-East of England. At the energy awareness day, eight stalls were set up, each featuring an energy-themed activity. In groups of 20, teenagers participated in a "hot-table" session wherein they spent thirty minutes engaging in each activity, before moving onto the next. Schools completed diaries and participated in focus groups after the event to measure any impact on saving energy the awareness day had. This data is currently beign analysed. The data from this event is still being analysed. Initial findings reveal teenagers and teachers who attended the event, completed diaries and participated in focus groups after the event became more aware of saving energy in all types of environments. Beneficiaries: students, teachers and the research group Contribution Method: The research contributed to the event by teenagers exploring and using prototype devices developed in the project as well as undertaking different energy tasks. This was a one day worskshop held at the Centre for Life In Newcastle. Nicola Toth and Linda Little ran a session about energy use which included two interactive activities. This one day conference was attended by primary school children from schools across the North East of England. The conference involved a variety of interactive activities and subsequently the children presented their opinions about what both scientists and everyone should be doing for the planet. Nicola Toth and Linda Little ran a session which included two interactive activities about energy use, based on the grant. The conference was covered in the media (The Journal and The Chroncile newspapers) and included within the School of Life Sciences (Northumbria University) Research and Innovative Bulletin. Beneficiaries: School children
Sector Education,Energy,Environment
Impact Types Societal

 
Description HEIF
Amount £2,000 (GBP)
Organisation Northumbria University 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2012 
End 08/2012
 
Description Reflections on novel qualitative data collection techniques from children and young people 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This abstract was presented as a poster at the Qualitative Methods in Psychology conference (18th-20th April 2012).

N/A
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2012
 
Description School engagement 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 100+ teenages from four schools across North East England attended this engagement event. The event was hosted to showcase findings from the research and gain feedback from the students with regard to different prototype devices that had been designed as part of the research project. The teenagers took part in various activities throughout the day and were taken on a tour of the university. The engagement event was funded by HEIF (£2000)

Feedback from both teenagers and school staff was very positive. They all commented on the value of being part of a research project, having a voice in important reserarch area and visiting a university
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2012