• Nation Wildlife Federation - Energy Pathway

    Schools are the largest energy consumers in many municipalities. But up to 30 percent of that energy is used inefficiently or unnecessarily. Schools can significantly cut energy use, resulting in financial savings and reduced environmental impact, while engaging in science, technology, engineering and math concepts.

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  • The Center for Green Schools

    This U.S. Green Building Council site promotes the greening of existing schools. Resources include an interactive diagram showing what makes a school green. Links to K–12, green educator curricula are found at: http://centerforgreenschools.org/

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  • Charles Edison Fund

    This site offers easy-to-perform, science-teaching experiments for grades 4–12. These projects focus on conservation, alternative energy sources, static electricity, energy for the future, and environmental experiments. There is also information about the Edison Awards Program for student participation in scientific projects.

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  • DOE/EERE: Energy Basics

    This DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy page provides basic information about renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies

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  • DOE/EERE: Energy Education & Workforce Development: Green Your School

    This Department of Energy page provides links to programs that can help improve energy efficiency of school buildings, campuses, and buses.

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  • Lesson Plans for Teaching Sustainability

    Imagine what your classroom could look like if students were engaged in sustainability learning.

    What can sustainability look like in schools?  A typical “green” school saves $100,000 annually on operating costs through conservation efforts such as water-efficient fixtures, energy-efficient and motion sensor lighting, and designs that maximize daylight.  With these savings, a school could hire at least one new teacher, buy 200 computers, or purchase 5,000 textbooks. 

    Lesson Plan Ideas

    Grades Pre-K-2:

    Grades 3-5:

    • What resources do I use on a daily basis? Which are rapidly renewable and not renewable? 
    • What are some changes we could make to our school to use the sun in a smarter way
      • Cooking with the Sun by the City & County of San Francisco

    Grades 6-8:

    Grades 9-12:

    • How can biofuel become a cost-competitive alternative to fossil fuels? 
    • How could pollution be regulated to promote environmental justice?
      •  Seeking Environmental Justice by Maryland EnviroHealth Connections