The Eco Club leveraged the school’s weekly video announcement, the “Monday Minute,” to explain the functionality of the e-gauge, an energy monitoring device used throughout the challenge. Students showcased the tangible impact of energy conservation by turning off lights and measuring the impact in real-time.

To help nurture a deeper understanding of sustainable practices among their peers, the Eco Club also integrated the challenge into upper-level physics classes, where those students facilitated an energy audit of the school premises.

During the challenge, the Eco Club explored the inner workings of their school's mechanical room, learning more about the equipment their school relies on to create a comfortable environment. They also virtually toured the Dane County Landfill to gain insight into waste management practices. Here, they learned more about the landfill's renewable natural gas processing facility to understand the transformative potential of sustainable technologies.

Reflecting on their journey, senior Eco Club members Izzie and Riley offered invaluable perspectives and encouragement to fellow schools looking to participate. Izzie emphasized, “It’s a low-risk, high-reward challenge and a great way to foster energy-conscious behaviors within your school.” Echoing this sentiment, Riley highlighted the initiative's inclusivity, “It's never too late to engage and make a meaningful difference.”

Looking ahead, McFarland High School aims to deepen community engagement by collaborating with local stakeholders, including their Village. Specifically, they want to connect with their Environmental Coordinator and expand the challenge's impact beyond the school building.

“The Green Team students transformed abstract concepts into tangible learning experiences for the students,” praised Hillcrest Elementary School second-grade teacher Colleen Kunsman. “Watching them ignite a newfound passion for science among my students was inspiring.”

The second-grade students embraced their roles as advocates for energy conservation. They shared valuable energy-saving tips to classmates at various grade levels through posters on display throughout their school and in morning announcements. A highlight throughout the competition was a classroom video shared among the teaching staff, in which students asked them to join their quest for a 10% energy reduction over a single weekend.

Evelyn, a second grader at Hillcrest Elementary School, expressed the importance of their hard work, stating, "By saving energy, you are also saving money." Her classroom used watt meters to gauge the energy consumption of their electric pencil sharpener and other pieces of classroom technology.

The mentorship extended beyond the classroom setting, offering students immersive experiences like touring Hillcrest Elementary School’s boiler room. They also embarked on a virtual field trip led by Solar Share, providing a glimpse into a future solar energy farm coming to their community.

Other participants in the Spring 2024 challenge included:

• North Crawford School District
• Anthony Acres Charter
• Laona School District
• Baraboo High School
• Ashwaubenon High School Mount Horeb Middle School
• Sun Prairie East High School
• Riverdale Elementary
• SAGES - School of Agricultural and Environmental Studies

Each school participating in Renew Our Schools supported its students by exploring energy consumption in their buildings and at home. By making behavioral changes and completing energy actions to save electricity, the schools reduced their kWh usage by up to 5.6% during the five-week challenge. Wisconsin schools are preparing for the Fall 2024 challenge. Discover more about the competition and upcoming dates here.