Whole School Energy Challenge version 2

In 2011 VEEP partnered with Efficiency Vermont and the School Energy Management Program (SEMP) to pilot a new school initiative: The Whole School Energy Challenge.  This pilot program engages schools in a friendly competition to see who can reduce their school's energy use the most.  

The first step is getting the administration on board, namely the principal and/or members of the school board. Then SEMP conducts a school-wide energy audit to look at everything from systems and schedules to the building envelope. Next the school forms an Action Team comprised of motivated students, teachers, administrators, staff and even parents. VEEP staff helps the team review the audit to identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements and develop an Action Plan.

The (draft) Playbook of activities provides suggestions and guidance to help the Action Teams investigate opportunities to reduce energy use at their school.  Each month, school fill out a reporting form to monitor their use of electricity and heating fuel and compare it to the same month the previous year. The Action Teams also list any activities they have undertaken that may have impacted energy use at the school.

The five schools participating in the Whole School Energy Challenge pilot program include:

To learn more about how your school can participate in the Whole School Energy Challenge, please CONTACT VEEP!

Schools Launch Challenge With ACE Assembly Program

 

In September 2011, four schools launched their Whole School Energy Challenge with an all-school assembly presented by ACE, the Alliance for Climate Education. This presentation includes an explanation of climate change -- what it is, what causes it and what people can do to help make a difference. It's informative, entertaining and inspiring.  

According to author and environmental educator/activist Bill McKibben, "ACE provides an unparalleled climate science program that sticks with high-school students." 

Click here to learn more about the ACE assembly program and see a video trailer.