Schools all across the country can make a big contribution to curbing energy loss and subsequent environment problems. According to Energy Star, “the annual energy bill to run America’s primary and secondary schools is a staggering $6 billion.” Also, the least energy efficient schools use three times more energy than the best performing ones. These statistics are proof of the kind of money that can be saved if schools commit to becoming more aware of reducing energy costs and getting teachers and students involved in the process as well.

According to a news item regarding the “green” schools of Maine, published on Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s site, student achievement and teacher retention increase when provided with a modern, safe, clean place for learning.

Moreover, the U.S. Green Building Council states that 20% of America goes to school each day and if a green school saved $100,000 in operational costs, that would be enough to hire two new teachers, buy 200 new computers or purchase 5000 new textbooks. It also goes on to state that by greening new and existing schools, “we can make a tremendous impact on student health, teacher retention, school operational costs and the environment.”  

Building Resources

School buildings can be designed or renovated to ensure energy efficiency and reduce costs on use of various energy resources. Energy-efficient schools are positive, healthy environments which use elements of good lighting, air, sound and overall comfort to ensure better learning and performance while minimizing impact on the environment and meeting or exceeding economic goals.

• Energy-Efficient School Design – Everything that you need to plan and design an energy-efficient school. 
• Energy-Efficient Building Technologies – Learn about the latest in technology to make a school building more energy-efficient. 
• Features of an Energy-Efficient School – Learn about the characteristics of a school that uses energy wisely.

School Bus Resources

School buses are indeed, the biggest cause of concern in the “greening” of schools due to the level of exhaust and the amount of fuel consumed by them. According to the National Library of Medicine, exhaust from buses that idle outside the schools can also pollute the air inside the schools. Moreover, older buses built before 1977 may not meet both current safety and environmental standards. 

• Children’s Exposure to School Bus Pollutants – Understand the extent of pollution that children have to face when traveling by diesel-powered school buses.
• Health Impact of Diesel Buses on Kids – Everything that a parent needs to know about diesel-fueled buses and their impact on a child’s health.
• Legislations to Reduce Emissions – The laws that are in place to reduce dangerous effects of diesel on school children and what more could the different states do. 
• Reduce Idling to Reduce Emissions – Learn how reducing idling of school buses can have a positive impact on the children and the environment.
• Alternative Fuel School Buses – How using alternatively fueled school buses help the environment and are a better choice than diesel-powered buses.
• Benefits of Alternative Fuel School Buses – Learn how these school buses are cost-effective in the long run.

Teaching Resources

Teachers can make a start in the classrooms by making students more aware about energy and becoming energy-efficient. There are plenty of ways to teach children about the impact that misusing energy has on the environment and encourage them to be more aware about using it properly and in the process, protect themselves and the environment. 

• Energy-Efficient Learning – Lesson plans for grades 4-7 on how to use energy more efficiently at home.  
• Solar Energy – A lesson plan to teach kids about using the power of the sun.
• Understanding Bio diesel – Teaching children about using bio diesel as a transportation fuel.   
• A Complete Energy Resource – Learn about energy, history of energy, calculating energy consumption and everything that children need to know about using and conserving energy.

News, Events and School Success Stories

All over the United States, schools are making an effort to become greener and more energy-efficient. These efforts are recognized and appreciated because of the positive impact that they have not just on the school environment but also on the students, teachers and the ambient environment as well.

• Kentucky’s Energy Success – Learn about how Kentucky has succeeded in building energy efficient schools throughout the state. 
• New Haven’s Green Success – A news item about New Haven receiving the Green California Leadership Award for its efforts to be more eco-friendly.
• Green Schools – Best practices from various green schools from all across the United States.

 Additional Resources

Here are some more resources for helping schools to become more attuned to energy usage and work towards adopting a greener approach to learning and education.

• Project Green Schools – A non-profit organization that helps schools to become greener.
• Teachers and Saving Energy – Why the American Federation of Teachers supports greening of schools.
• Energy Efficient Schools – A resource list of schools facilities that are high on energy efficiency, their plans, costs and other important details.