Monthly Archives: January 2014

The Center for Green Schools

green schoolsIf you are part of a school and you are interested in energy conservation, but have no idea where to begin, this is the place. At the Center for Green Schools, they want schools to go green. And they want to help them to do so. The point of the organization is to transform the schools into healthy places to live, learn and work. As they explain, “We believe that everyone, from the kindergartner entering the classroom to the Ph.D. student performing research in a lab, should have the ability to learn in green buildings.”

The Center works directly with teachers, students, administrators and others to create programs, resources and partnerships that will move a school from a regular one to a green environment. They look at everything from the lighting and classroom furniture to the heating system and beyond and help to make a difference one school at a time.

Green Living in Schools: A Visual Diary

If you want to see an example of green living at work – this is a great choice. This video shows how green living techniques were integrated into many schools and how they are incorporating these ideas into their educational opportunities.

Light Bulbs Really Can Make a Difference

energy star

It sounds ridiculous to think that a single light bulb can make a difference – but it really can. When thinking about green living in a school, light bulbs can really help with energy conservation. One important focus is on ENERGY STAR. The ENERGY STAR program, started in 1992 by EPA is a voluntary program “to identify and promote energy-efficient products and buildings in order to reduce energy consumption, improve energy security, and reduce pollution through voluntary labeling of or other forms of communication about products…”

When a product is labeled as ENERGY STAR, you’ll know that it is more energy efficient and will last longer than other products. It takes less energy to make the light bulb work, this helping the school, the budget and the environment. Certainly, school furniture is an area of focus and concern, but so is energy and the easy ways to become more energy efficient in the classroom.