Announcing the Sustainable Energy Award

In an era of increasingly constrained budgets, schools across the nation are looking for creative ways to cut spending without compromising the quality of the education they deliver. Energy efficiency offers a solution by freeing up funds that can be used elsewhere and by providing invaluable opportunities for hands-on learning for students inside their own school building. Through the application of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), students are empowered to identify solutions that cut spending and reduce energy use, giving them—and their entire community—a healthier environment and a sense of school pride. Technology, in particular, can improve school-wide energy efficiency through the use of energy efficient fixtures such as solar panels and meters that monitor energy use. The use of tools such as smart meters allows schools to track energy and cost savings and integrate these activities into their lessons.

The National Environmental Education Foundation wants to celebrate those innovative schools from across the country that have used energy efficiency to enhance education, reduce environmental impacts and generate cost savings. The $10,000 Sustainable Energy Award will be presented to each of the top three high schools that can demonstrate how they have engaged students and teachers in school-wide energy savings through the creative and innovative use of technology. Their achievement will be showcased as models for other schools looking to take on this challenge. U.S. public or publicly-funded charter high schools are eligible to apply. The application deadline is February 10, 2012. For more information about the award and resources for supporting school energy efficiency, please visit the Sustainable Energy Award website. Also, visit EEWeek.org and register today to learn more about how schools are utilizing environmental challenges, such as school energy efficiency, as a context to advance STEM learning.