We are very excited at Saatchi & Saatchi S to introduce our new non-profit partner, Alliance for Climate Education, ACE.  ACE specializes in bringing the science of climate change to high school students across the country.  They are an organization that is sharp, quick and on the rise.  Below is a post from them illustrating their experience at the X-Games this past weekend in Aspen Colorado

X-Games 2010
Just off the mountain and sitting in the front row of Aspen High School’s auditorium while the team sets up for an all school assembly.  We have Michael Franti cranking in the background to help set the mood; Michael LaFemina, our educator extraordinaire performing his breathing and auditory exercises;  Bridget Jankovsky, newbie educator and extreme skiing, saying hello to some old teachers;  Stewy, Matt Stewart – head of marketing at ACE, capturing it all on Flip.  Kids playing in the snow outside.  It feels like home.
And here’s a nice overview of the trip:

ACE’s March to the Winter X-Games volume 1 from ACE Space on Vimeo.

To be honest, I didn’t really know what we were getting into way back when we agree to do our thing here at the X Games.  I knew it would be a trip to the mountains, some great exposure to popular culture and some amazing contacts that might take our organization to the next level.  What I didn’t understand was that we were entering into a hub of progressive thought and a way of life that is completely in tune with our organizational goals at ACE.  Here in the Roaring Fork Valley, these students intrinsically get what we have come to teach them.  Every student we’ve run across asks all the right questions:
•    Will it (”solving climate change”) work?
•    Why are the X Games lights on all night?
•    What will the recent supreme court decision (reducing limits on spending on elections) impact the new energy legislation?

And they want to take ACTION now.  Because of this it was a great place to test the concept of our newest campaign to get students to commit to a D.O.T. – Do One Thing.   Thanks to the help of our friends and partner Saatchi & Saatchi S, it is the perfect campaign for all high students to take the first step to commit to making a difference in the climate crisis.  We love this campaign, because it is all about you and the decisions you make!
Here’s a great DOT from an Olympic medal-winning snowboarder:

ACE’s March to the Winter X-Games volume 1 from ACE Space on Vimeo.

You have to make the solutions to climate change–YOU have to make it work. You have to vote with your dollars and reward companies that do good things. And you have to ask tough questions of even the coolest organizations (those X Games lights are on because they’re preparing around the clock for the competition this week).

And asking tough questions is the only way you’ll get the answers you want.  And starting with a DOT is a great place to start.

In the midst of it all, we are emerging as the group that can present these kids with science that sticks in a fun and entertaining way.  It has been a thrill to watch, especially given our position on the cutting edge of education.  These athletes are exploring the boundaries of what is physically possible on snow, in the background ACE is doing the same….educating youth about what is possible.  All it takes is a little imagination and the will to do something extraordinary.

Peace
Pic Walker(Dr. Huckstable) Executive Director and Matt Stewart Head of Marketing
www.acespace.org