APS Students Compete to Save Energy in State’s Largest ReNew Competition

Students at 12 APS schools are leading the charge to find ways to save energy in a competition called ReNew Our Schools. The main goal of the competition, sponsored by the Center for ReSource Conservation, is to see how much energy each school can conserve during the month of April. Each of the participating schools is attempting to win one of three $20,000 solar arrays for their building.

The student-led challenge will focus on changing behaviors such as turning off lights, shutting down computers, and unplugging unused appliances. Students will earn points in the competition for energy savings and initiatives such as forming environmental clubs, creating videos, and developing energy lesson plans. Parents and community members can earn points for the school of their choice by pledging to save energy at home. Schools are competing in three separate divisions. The school in each division with the greatest number of points at the end of the month will win a solar array.

To aid student efforts, APS installed eGauge electricity monitors donated by local companies eGauge and Magnelab at each of the participating schools. These devices will track each school’s electricity usage during the competition and show real-time changes in energy use via a web-based computer application. Students can use this information to find ways to reduce energy and sharpen their strategy in the competition.

Students will also benefit by partnering with “energy mentors” from nine local companies and organizations. Mentors will teach students about energy-saving opportunities, share motivational strategies, and conduct energy “walk-throughs” to identify areas in each school where energy can be saved.

The following schools are competing in the ReNew Our Schools challenge:

To learn more about the ReNew our Schools Competition or to complete a Home Energy Improvements pledge form visit http://conservationcenter.org/rnos/.