Connect
Find out where your energy comes from! Look around your school/home. What is powered by electricity? What is powered by gas (natural gas or gasoline)? See if you can track the energy to its source.
Does your energy come from renewable or non-renewable sources? You may need to talk to your parents, teachers, principal, or the building and grounds staff in your school district.
Explore
Complete a school energy audit. Try out this classroom energy assessment from Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin!
Learn more about the challenges of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources in this TED Talk:
William, a 14-year-old kid from Malawi, did it! Check out a book about windmills and study the pictures. William used the resources that he had available. What could you use?
This idea will have you thinking outside the box. Watch this Design Squad video. Then, brainstorm what else you could do to create alternative forms of energy. Design it, build it, test it!
Engage
Join the “Dark Skies” campaign! Did you know that Newport State Park is Wisconsin’s first International Dark Sky Park?
What can you do each day that reduces your energy consumption? Make it a school-wide challenge with prizes for the winning classroom or grade-level.
Make a video and share it on your parent or teacher’s social media (with their permission) and tag your elected local and state officials. You could also send the video in an email or write them a letter. Not sure what to include? Watch this video for ideas!
Your letter should point out the benefits of switching to renewable energy sources.Try to convince your principal and superintendent to make the switch!