Provided by: Climate Generation |Published on: May 20, 2021
Activity - Classroom
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Synopsis
In this school-wide project, students will organize and implement a Lights Out Day at school to reduce the school's carbon footprint and raise awareness about carbon emissions with a focus on Minnesota schools.
This project allows students to take immediate action to reduce their carbon footprints, reduce pollution, and reduce their school's energy bill.
This activity promotes cooperation among students and the school community as a whole.
The Lights Out Day initiative brings awareness to the incredible amount of energy used for our daily activities and demonstrates that simple actions can have a substantial and immediate impact, especially when we work together.
Additional Prerequisites
The project guide is designed for schools in Minnesota, so some of the linked resources are specific to Minnesota, but the project could be implemented in any school.
Students should have some basic knowledge about electricity generation, air pollution, and greenhouse gases.
The first link under "More Resources" requires sign-in information to access.
Students should work to identify an alternate day in case there isn't enough daylight on Lights Out Day.
Differentiation
Students could make posters, presentations, or videos to help promote the project.
Students could investigate and research other solutions for saving energy (e.g., changing out light bulbs to more efficient types, replacing a portion of the bulbs, or turning off the lights when they are not in use).
This activity could be expanded to encourage students to shut off their lights at home whenever possible.
Math teachers could use the unit rates (cost per kWh) at the bottom of the page to demonstrate real-life math applications.
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About the Partner Provider
Climate Generation
Climate Generation is a nationally connected nonprofit dedicated to climate literacy, climate change education, youth leadership, and community engagement for innovative climate change solutions. Climate Generation empowers individuals and their communities to engage in solutions to climate change. Their vision is a world of resilient communities with equitable solutions to climate change.
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.