The students began the process by conducting an environmental inventory of their school. As a part of the process students conducted a survey of students and educators. Once they analyzed the results they found that a key concern at their school was energy use. The students worked with their social studies teacher to understand policy making at their school.
Once they had identified a problem they were going to address they used a number of different tools to get their message out. Among the methods used by the students were PowerPoint presentations, flyers, commercials and announcements that went all over the school to remind students and staff to conserve energy. Some students even taught classes on energy conservation to elementary students.
The students researched geothermal heating, energy conservation of small appliances and energy conservation of the HVAC system at their school as various means to decrease their energy usage. The students’ primary goal was to cut down Holland’s energy consumption, and found a number of creative ways to do that. They met with school administrators to make recommendations for retrofits and policy changes.
To increase awareness at their school the students and teachers planned an Energy Awareness Week and hosted a “dark school” day where the community used lighting and air conditioning resources at a minimum. Over the one day Holland Middle School saw a 27% reduction in kilowatt-hours, which translated to a $206 savings. Students estimate that the district could save up to $600,000 annually if more schools participated in “dark days” more often or instituted some of the policies on a broader basis.