Kids take lead on environmental stewardship

Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, November 15, 2010

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A fifth-grader checks the plug load in an office at Meadowthorpe Elementary. The usage survey is part of the new E=USE2 program, which helps everyone make good decisions about energy efficiency and sustainability.

A fifth-grader checks the plug load in an office at Meadowthorpe Elementary. The usage survey is part of the new E=USE2 program, which helps everyone make good decisions about energy efficiency and sustainability.

A fifth-grader checks the plug load in an office at Meadowthorpe Elementary. The usage survey is part of the new E=USE2 program, which helps everyone make good decisions about energy efficiency and sustainability.Students are documenting whether lights are left on in unoccupied rooms, windows are open or closed, and personal appliances like coffeemakers are plugged in.Booker T. Washington Academy students document their energy-audit findings. So far this fall, about 30 schools are on board with the E=USE2 program.FCPS hired Britney Thompson and Tresine Logsdon to help the school district conserve energy and promote sustainability initiatives.

When it comes to taking better care of the environment and sustaining resources for future generations, it all begins with today’s kids.

“We’re looking to empower our students to create behavior change and educate the community about energy consumption and improved sustainability. They have the ideas. They have the enthusiasm. We just need to unleash that inherent curiosity and passion,” said Tresine Logsdon, one of two energy managers that stimulus funds enabled Fayette County Public Schools to hire this past summer.

To help pave the way, she has introduced a school board-approved program called E=USE2 (Education leads to Understanding Sustainability, Energy and the Environment). It guides students, administrators, faculty, staff and community partners in making informed decisions.

The eight-step program leads schools through hands-on energy assessments, awareness campaigns and student-designed improvement projects funded through Kentucky Green & Healthy Schools and NEED grants (National Energy Education Development project).

About 30 schools have signed on this fall, and Logsdon predicts widespread impact.

“Our students, in every school, will understand the environmental, economic and ethical importance of reduced energy consumption and improved sustainability in all areas,” she said. “This program will allow student-driven, data-based, goal-oriented programs across our schools to play a tremendous role in helping our students focus their passion for environmental quality.”

That effort is evident in places like Meadowthorpe Elementary. In one early component of E=USE2, eager volunteers documented whether lights were left on in unoccupied classrooms and windows were open or closed.

“Some teachers think you need all the lights on in the classroom, but you really don’t,” said fifth-grader Jordyn Chenault, who wants to help classmates learn to use electricity “the right way.”

Brad Clark, the staff sponsor at Meadowthorpe, sees E=USE2 developing not only environmental awareness but also leadership qualities.

“It provides an opportunity for kids to make a change at the school level,” Clark said, noting how youngsters are a product of today’s culture of progress and innovation. “If you’re going to make any sweeping change, you have to start with the kids,” he added.

In another exercise, students use a Kill-A-Watt meter to complete a plug-load survey, determining the wattage used in a classroom or office and calculating the annual cost. The kids also use a foot candle light meter to measure the light output in various areas of the building.

“In many schools, we’re finding the corridors, foyers and some offices are way overlit,” said Logsdon, noting how bright light can be harsh. “We can remove lamps from some of the fixtures to reduce the lighting, which makes the spaces more comfortable to work in.”

Starting with easy steps like that, Fayette County Public Schools hopes to reduce the district’s energy consumption 20 percent by 2012. 

In addition to backing the E=USE2 program, FCPS has demonstrated its dedication by:

  • Adopting “green” building practices in renovation and construction projects, such as the net-zero Locust Trace AgriScience Farm and the new Wellington Elementary School;
  • Creating a district Sustainability Council to provide clear direction, goals and tasks; and
  • Partnering with the National Energy Education Development project (NEED), the Kentucky Green & Healthy Schools program (KGHS), the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Utilities, Columbia Gas and Kentucky American Water to analyze the district’s utility expenditures and take advantage of collaborative projects, state and national recognition programs and energy-efficiency funding programs.

Logsdon’s counterpart, Britney Thompson, spearheads the utility analyses and technical aspects districtwide. For instance, she is developing a plan to minimize energy use in FCPS facilities during holidays and vacations.

Thompson also coordinates the energy audits and assessments of schools, supporting the E=USE2 program by supplying usage data and educating students on the behind-the-scenes energy consumption in their schools.

In addition, she negotiates with utility companies on rates and rebates and works closely with FCPS maintenance staff to ensure mechanical equipment operates efficiently.

“Any way we can save money and be good stewards of what we have is always advantageous,” Thompson said. “Even a bunch of little things coming together can make a big dent.”   

Sidebar: Energy managers a vital resource

Resources:

http://www.sustainability.fcps.net/ (maintained by the two energy managers)