Collegiate Academy Energy Initiative

The AP Environmental Science students, led by teacher Mrs. Doreen Petri, conducted an energy audit of Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy.

After researching global warming, energy efficiency, and learning about Governor Rendell’s Energy Independence Strategy, the students decided to find ways to make their school more energy efficient.

They measured the square footage of the entire building, used a light meter to measure the foot-candle efficiency in each room, counted every light bulb in the school, and measured other energy usage from sources such as computers and vending machines. After all of this data was collected, it was entered into the Energy Star website to obtain a national rating for energy efficiency.

Based on the rating received, short and long-term goals were developed to reduce energy usage in the school. These include:
• Reducing lighting usage and purchasing more efficient light bulbs.
• Purchasing small desk lamps for teachers to use during free periods.
• Replacing windows that are not energy efficient.
• Tracking energy usage for years to come, and ultimately reducing the school’s carbon footprint.

In March we gave an initial assembly to the faculty at Collegiate. Later, we put on an assembly for the whole school. At that time Wal-Mart donated 50 desk lamps and 50 CFL’s for the teachers to use during their plan period and turn off their classroom lights. Finally, we gave an assembly for the parents.