Sustainable Energy Award – Resources
ENERGY STAR for K-12 School Districts
According to ENERGY STAR, the energy bill for America’s primary and secondary schools is $6 billion annually. Top performing ENERGY STAR labeled schools cost forty cents per square foot less to operate than the average school. This page provides schools with information and resources to help them become more energy efficient.
DOE Energy Smart Schools
This series of presentations from the U.S. Department of Energy helps schools learn how to operate and maintain Energy Smart Schools. The Energy Smart Schools program promotes a 30% improvement in existing school energy use.
Classroom Earth
Classroom Earth is an online resource designed to help teachers
integrate the environment into their daily lesson plans. Educators can
browse resources in the Classroom Earth Library by subject or topic,
and there are many lesson plans on energy efficiency.
National Environmental Education Week
National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) is the nation’s largest environmental education event held each year the week before Earth Day, and inspires environmental learning and stewardship among K-12 students. This year’s theme is Greening STEM: The Environment as Inspiration for 21st Century Learning. Educators are invited to explore how the environment serves as a compelling context for learning STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills and concepts.
Alliance to Save Energy Green Schools Program
The Green Schools Program empowers students to make a difference in the way their schools use energy. Schools participating in the Green Schools Program have reduced energy use by 5 to 15 percent. Students learn about energy efficiency and are trained to use a diagnostic toolkit that assesses the energy usage in their school.
Earth Day Network Green Schools
The Earth Day Network provides information and resources about how to create a green school, including energy efficiency measures. Educators can join the Educator’s Network for free for further access to resources and grants.
USGBC Center for Green Schools
The U.S. Green Building Council provides resources and information on green schools, including energy efficiency, which helps lower utility costs, conserve resources and reduce waste. Green schools also showcase a community's commitment to its children and their future.
GEF Sustainability Education Clearinghouse
The Green Education Foundation provides a number of resources and lesson plans on renewable energy, as part of the Green Energy Challenge.
NEED
The National Energy Education Development Project (NEED) promotes energy education by providing curricula and activities for teachers and students and awards for schools that participate in the NEED program.
