Solutionary Examples for a Carbon Neutral Energy Future
Pathways to Action
Looking for ideas to get started? Below are a few examples of Solutionary actions that can be taken across the Campus, Curriculum, and Community Engagement. You can also click HERE to see more examples in the One Planet School Challenge Example Levels of Engagement.
Campus
Entry: Assess the Facility's energy-use and efficiency.
Mid Level: Improve the Facility's energy efficiency and analyze alternative energy sources to determine the most cost effective and sustainable choice for your school.
Full Integration: Create a comprehensive and integrated plan with the goal of achieving Zero Carbon Energy.
Curriculum
Entry: Provide students with supplemental information on energy.
Mid Level: Create lessons for students to examine the energy system from multiple lenses and identify economic, social, and environmental issues. Students then apply this learning by collecting data from their campuses, developing awareness campaigns and setting up action plans for their school.
Full Integration: Deliver an energy curriculum to every student in the school. Ongoing education paired with campus events and facilities affords students a comprehensive understanding of the energy system.
Community Awareness & Action
Entry: Host a one-off school and/or community-wide event about the importance of energy conservation.
Mid Level: Participate in a short-term awareness or action campaign focusing on energy conservation with 20-50% participation in the school community.
Full Integration: Implement an ongoing awareness or action campaign focusing on energy conservation with over 50% participation in the school community.
Exemplar community impact projects led by administrators
Not sure which pathway to action is right for you? Browse the Administrator-Led Solutionary Community Impact Project Exemplars to learn about successful and long-lasting environmental action.
Local Solutionary Action Examples
Want to see what other school communities have done to get recognized? Below are a few examples of Solutionary actions that have been recognized by the San Mateo County Office of Education.
Full-Integration Recognition in Community Action for Zero Carbon Energy
Team of students, community members worked with the School Board of Trustees to approve an ethical investment policy for their schools endowment. This is a significant step towards divesting from the fossil fuel industry. They hope other schools can follow their lead!
San Mateo Foster City School District
4th Grade unit of study on clean energy and home designs
San Mateo Foster City School District
8th Grade unit of study on renewable energy culminating in an advocacy campaign for solar installations at their school.
2019-20 Financial Award Winner: Summit Public Schools (Shasta and Beyond)
Jefferson Union High School District (Charter)
Entry-Level Recognition in Curriculum and Instruction for Zero Carbon Energy
10th grade physics classes across multiple Summit Charter institutions learn about wind turbines as a source of clean energy. The unit culminates with students conducting research on their own mini turbines, as well as advocacy for increased use of wind power for a clean energy future.
San Mateo Union High School District
Zero Carbon Energy - Community Awareness and Action
Private School
Zero Carbon Energy - Campus and Operations & Community Awareness and Action