Energy is an important environmental issue, and the challenges bring together fields such as economics, environmental science, sociology, political science, and engineering. Students who are more informed about energy issues and the science behind them will be better equipped to come up with solutions to our energy problems.

Project Learning Tree’s Energy Investigation is one of five hands-on, student-driven investigations in PLT's GreenSchools program where students investigate how much energy their school uses, the main sources of that energy, and ways to implement energy-saving strategies. The Investigation details specific things for students to measure and observe, along with student worksheets to fill out and guidance on how to combine data collected into a school-wide analysis. 

PLT's GreenSchools program inspires students to improve the environment at their school, at home, and in their community. Student-led Green Teams apply STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) to create greener and healthier schools—and save schools money!

In the Energy Investigation, students determine the main sources of energy used to supply electricity to their school or community and investigate the renewable or nonrenewable sources. Using the data collected from the Investigation, students can develop action projects to implement in their community that help save energy. 

Examples of Students’ Action Plans: Students install photo sensors and motion sensors to turn off lights when natural light is adequate or when rooms are not in use. They delamp (reduce the number of light bulbs) in areas where the quantity of light exceeds recommendations. The school purchases energy-saving light bulbs, computers, and appliances with ‘Energy Star’ labels.

Visit Project Learning Tree’s website to read stories of students’ action projects. Hear from students about their green school’s journey, and from teachers about lessons they learned along the way, as well as their tips for others interested in implementing similar projects.

Get all five GreenSchools Investigations here which includes:

• Adult Leader Guide – Information on the benefits of becoming a green school, who to involve, how to form a Green Team, the steps to take to support students in conducting the Investigations, STEM connections and suggestions for additional activities to enhance each Investigation topic. 
• Energy Investigation - Students investigate how much energy their school uses, the main sources of that energy, and ways to implement energy-saving strategies.
• Environmental Quality Investigation - Students investigate areas where improvements can be made in indoor air quality, transportation, chemical use, and more.
• School Site Investigation - Students investigate natural habitats, wildlife, trees, grounds maintenance practices, and ways to make improvements to their school site.
• Waste & Recycling Investigation - Students investigate how much waste their school generates and where it goes, as well as recycling and composting efforts.
• Water Investigation - Students investigate the source, cost, and quality of their school's water supply, and ways to enhance current water conservation practices.

“Our students used the information they gathered from the Energy Investigation to launch a ‘Save the Teacher’ Campaign. Our school was faced with the threat of staff cuts due to budget shortfalls. The goal of the campaign was to save enough energy to make up the cost of one teacher’s salary. In the end, we were able to save $100,000, more than enough to meet our ‘Save the Teacher’ goal!”

 – Michael Hotz, Science Teacher, Wyandotte High School, Kansas City, KS

“After students conducted PLT’s GreenSchools Energy Investigation, they implemented practices that yielded energy savings of nearly 27% during an eight-month period.”

 – Joseph Marinelli, Principal, Alder Avenue Middle School, Egg Harbor Township, NJ

“Our students used the information they gathered from the Energy Investigation to launch a ‘Save the Teacher’ Campaign. Our school was faced with the threat of staff cuts due to budget shortfalls. The goal of the campaign was to save enough energy to make up the cost of one teacher’s salary. In the end, we were able to save $100,000, more than enough to meet our ‘Save the Teacher’ goal!”

 – Michael Hotz, Science Teacher, Wyandotte High School, Kansas City, KS