Energy Resources

CAMPUS RESOURCES

PHASE 1-2: BUY-IN, ASSESSMENT, AND PLANNING

GOALS, MANDATES, AND STRATEGIES

Energy Goals, Mandates, and Strategies: This resource page makes the case for why energy conservation matters, and lays out relevant goals, mandates, and strategies for school communities to consider.

ASSESSMENT AND AUDIT RESOURCES

Whole School Sustainability Audit: This tool was developed by the San Mateo County Office of Education's (SMCOE) Environmental Literacy Initiative, and provides a comprehensive audit for campus, curriculum, and community for energy sourcing, costs, and efficiency.
Green Schools Initiative Energy Checklist
Earthday Network Energy Audit
Department of Energy: Guide to achieving zero net energy for schools

TOOLKITS FOR PLANNING

Cool California
Switch to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Switch to Energy Efficient Appliances or Energy Star appliances.
Toolkit for Behavior-Based Energy Conservation in K-12 Schools
Greenhouse Gas Reductions Toolkit

PHASE 2-3: IMPLEMENTATION, CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, AND RECOGNITION

TRACKING AND MONITORING

Campus Sustainability Dashboard and Examples: This document provides an overview to what a Campus Sustainability Dashboard is, and why it is an important tool for advancing environmental and climate action in schools. The document also includes examples such as vendor resources, recommendations for dashboard data to include, and curriculum resource examples.

SUCCESS AND RECOGNITION

AWARDS PROGRAM EXAMPLES

Green Ribbon (ED-GRS & CA-GRS): Pillar 1 - Section E1A is on Energy
CA Green Business Award: Conserve Energy Section

CURRICULUM RESOURCES

The San Mateo County Office of Education's (SMCOE) Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative (ELSI) developed a number of supplemental curriculum resources:

- Field Research for Home: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12
- School Audit Activities: 3-8 and 6-12
- Energy WebQuests: 3-5 Energy WebQuest; 6-8 Energy WebQuest; and 9-12 Energy WebQuest

EPA: Generate - The Energy Game: Generate is an interactive game that allows students to explore energy choices and teaches the considerations and costs in deciding what type of energy generation to build.

Energize Schools: Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) has created a number of no-cost resources and supportive services including: sustainability project-based curriculum, instructional support in the classroom, field trips, instructional materials, and teacher trainings. They also have other curriculum resources available to browse and use.

PEAK - A Program of the Energy Coalition: PEAK is a comprehensive standards-based educational program designed to empower elementary and middle school students with the knowledge to manage energy use in their homes, schools and communities. Through hands-on learning, students are inspired to pursue green careers and motivate themselves and others to take action to create a more sustainable world.