School
Energy Education
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| About KEEP |
Professional
Development |
Resources |
Student
Involvement |
Networking |
Funding Opportunities |
| Introduction |
Learn more about the energy consumption in your school and how you and your students can use energy more wisely. With budget cuts and rising utility costs, it is important that every building occupant take responsibility for the energy they use at school.
School Energy Conservation Ideas (PDF)
| School Energy Policy and Education Plan Template |
KEEP has created a School Energy Policy and Education Plan Template to help schools communities develop an energy plan that addresses not only energy management policies, but also incorporates energy education into the curriculum school-wide.
Download the FREE School Energy Policy and Education Plan Template
(You will be asked for your name, school, and state/country when you download this document. Please be assured that this information will be used for internal reference only.)
| Sample Energy and Resource Management Policies |
Many school communities in Wisconsin have adopted Energy and/or Resource Management Policies. Although every school community is unique, existing policies may be incorporated when updating or developing new ones.
Green Bay Area School District
Waterford Graded School District
Kenosha Unified School District No. 1
Wisconsin Rapids Public School District
School District of Kettle Moraine
School District of South Milwaukee
School District of The Tomorrow River
| Focus on Energy Schools and Government Program |
Your first stop for school building energy efficiency in Wisconsin is the Focus on Energy Schools and Government Program. The goal of the Focus Schools and Government Program is to make energy improvements cost-effective to public schools, private schools and local government facilities. The Focus Schools and Government Program makes it quick and easy to implement energy efficient upgrades by providing, among other energy-related services, inexpensive financing options. Read the Schools and Local Government Program Fact Sheet for a list of services and resources provided.
Visit the Focus on Energy Schools and Government Programs Web site and click on the Information Center (then Schools & Government) for Fact Sheets, Case Studies, Press Releases, Tool Lending Library, and Education and Training Opportunities. Click on Energy and Education (menu on left) for more information about how the Focus Schools Program works with existing and new school facilities.
| NR 734: School Building Energy Efficiency Course Web Support |
If you have taken NR 734: School Building Energy Efficiency Education, then you know that there is much more to this course than the time you spent with your instructor! Tackling energy efficiency within your school building can be an extensive undertaking. This site is designed to help teachers and students investigate energy use in their schools and discover ways to conserve it.
NR 734: School Building Energy Efficiency
Education
course
web support
| School-related Resources |
There are many existing programs and resources related to school building energy efficiency. Some of the most common resources are listed here with a description of what can be found on their Web site to help you incorporate school building energy efficiency education into your classroom.
If you know of any resources, that are not listed, other teachers may find useful, contact Melissa Rickert at mrickert@uwsp.edu.
| School Energy Sparks |
If you would like to try out some school energy sparks with your students, check out the 'mini activities' below. For complete school-related energy activities, visit our Professional Development page and take a look into registering for a NR 734: School Building Energy Efficiency Education course in your school district.
| News: Energy & School Buildings |
In this section, check out some of the latest headlines in school building energy efficiency and energy education. Updated often!
2005 ENERGY STAR Awards
EPA,
March 2005
Survey: Green Buildings Make Better Schools
Sustainable
Business Insider
Schools blaze path to LEED-certified construction status
New
Mexico Business Weekly, March 10, 2006
School Districts, Colleges Target Campus Vending Machines
EnergyVortex
Eureka
School District to pursue biomass power generation
Montana Associated Technology Roundtables, March 24, 2006
| Case Studies: School Building Energy Efficiency |
School building energy efficiency is a lofty goal -- can it actually work? Yes!! Many schools have successfully reduced their energy consumption and lowered their utility bills.
Focus on Energy Schools Program Case Studies
Consortium for Energy Efficiency ► Energy Efficient Schools Program
Crook County Schools Debunk Energy "Myth" ► Oregon Department of Energy Schools Team (PDF)
Largest California State University Campus Saves Millions with Energy Management ► Itron Case Study (PDF)
Geothermal Heat Pumps Score High Marks in Schools ► National Renewable Energy Laboratory (PDF)
Department of Energy Rebuild America - Energy Smart Schools
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/topic_definition_detail.cfm/topic=112
| Statistics Corner: Energy Use in School Buildings |
Typical Wisconsin School
76,057 square feet
390,000 kWh of electricity per year
39,550 therms of natural gas per year
What does this mean?
390,000 kWh EQUALS:
896,700 lbs of CO2 emissions!
110,065 lbs of coal!
Enough electricity to power a 60-watt light-bulb for 742 years!
39,550 therms EQUALS:
463,051 lbs of CO2 emissions!
43,182 gallons of propane!
Enough energy to drive an average car 321,390 miles (around the world 13
times)!
Graph: Energy Use in Education Facilities (Click to enlarge)
Education Statistics Quarterly: The Effects of Energy Needs and Expenditures on U.S. Public Schools
Send comments and suggestions to KEEP, energy@uwsp.edu or call 715.346.4770.
Copyright 2001 KEEP
