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Each year in April, residence halls and co-ops and city K-12 public schools battle it out to see who can most reduce electricity and water use for . Sponsored by the Office of Environmental Sustainability, this year’s two-week community conservation competition and event series began Friday, April 8, and runs through Friday, April 22 (Earth Day).

At the college, the competition portion of Ecolympics is between residence halls to reduce water and electricity use and between co-ops to reduce electricity use. In the city, all K-12 public schools compete to reduce the most water and electricity. Competitors can keep track of the standings on the college’s .

A series of events designed to spur sustainability conversation complements the competition. Read on to learn about several of this year’s featured events, from hands-on crafts and hangouts to thought-provoking lectures and film screenings. See the full list of events on the .

Rock Wall Ecolympics Open Hours

4:30-7 p.m. Monday, April 11; 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16; and 4:30-7 p.m. Monday, April 18

Philips Gym Atrium

All those interested in climbing the rock wall in the Philips Gym atrium are welcome to try during . Climbing shoes can be rented on location for $1.

Triple Divide: Film Screening and Discussion

6-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 13

Hallock Auditorium, AJLC

Hailed as the "very best documentary on the hazards of fracking in our environment," Triple Divide is a by Joshua Pribanic and Melissa Troutman that chronicles the true nature of hydraulic natural gas fracking in north central Pennsylvania.

OES Hangout: Ecolympics 2016 Edition

4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14

Wilder 112

Held monthly, OES hangouts offer an informal setting to chat with others passionate about sustainability. will offer tips on reducing resource consumption for the Ecolympics competition and more.

Planter Making with Recycled Materials

4-6 p.m. Friday, April 15

Wilder Bowl

All are welcome to Wilder Bowl to into planters. Seeds and cans will be provided.

Hair Recycling

1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 17

AJLC Atrium

This is a win-win, as students can have their coiffures trimmed, and environmental nonprofits can pack hair booms to be used in oil cleanups.

Tapped: Documentary Screening

7-9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 17

Hallock Auditorium, AJLC

examines the bottle industry socially, economically, and ecologically, focusing on the industry giants PepsiCo and Nestle. A raffle will follow the screening.

The Sexual Politics of Meat: Presentation

7:30-9 p.m. Thursday, April 21

Craig Lecture Hall, Science Center

Carol Adams, author of , will present a slideshow that draws upon images of women and animals in contemporary popular culture to discuss oppressive attitudes. A book signing and reception will follow Adams’ presentation.

Earth Day Field Day

2-3 p.m. Friday, April 22

Wilder Bowl

This event encourages all to be carefree with the Office of Environmental Sustainability! like tug-of-war and hopscotch.