Isambard Community School - Energy

PROJECT

Why did you decide to undertake this project (i.e. Particular issue in school or part of a larger campaign) and what aims did you have starting out?

As a new school we decided that we were going to be aware of the amount of energy that the school uses and look at ways of being more eco-friendly and using less energy where possible. Initially, we looked at areas where we could have the biggest impact in a short period of time.

 

 ACTION

How was the project delivered and was it integrated into the curriculum?

Students have looked at alternative energy resources as part of the curriculum in science and humanities. In particular, students have looked at wind turbines and solar cells.

One point, students highlighted was that electricity was being used by devices and lighting system being left on when they were not required. This was seen as a project that could be targeted quickly and with minimal costs. Initially, an eco-monitor was assigned to each class to ensure that electrical devices and lighting systems were switched off when not required, class earn points for working without using artificial lighting, computer were programmed to switch off and the owners of the school building were contacted for their ideas and suggestions.

CHALLENGES

Did you have to overcome any challenges to make the project succeed?

Since the eco-team was set-up the activities and projects that have been carried out have all been self-funded and therefore any costs required the team raising the funds themselves. 

PUPIL LEADERSHIP

How did you get the children involved? How did they have ownership?

Students presented their ideas of how to improve the energy usage of the school. The ideas were then presented by the senior eco-team to the owners of the school building. The owners then acted upon the feedback given.

RESULT

How have the children benefitted from the project and any other benefits for the school (reduced costs, cleaner school etc)? 

Students have continued to monitor the energy usage and the use of eco-monitors has been a success. The owners of the building have also updated the lighting program so that lights are switched off automatically when not in use and are motion triggered.

They are also updating the classrooms so that a switch can be installed to each classroom to allow the electricity in each class to be switched off at night in order to prevent electrical items being left on or left on stand-by. 

This has benefited the school by increasing student awareness to these issues and also reduced the cost associated with energy usage in the school.

RESOURCES

Did you use any educational resources such as The Pod (If yes, indicate which activities), receive any support from parents, staff and outside agencies?  Did you have to source funding for the project?

The Pod was used to look at the suitability of the school for a wind turbine and to monitor the number of electrical equipment items which were left on or on stand-by around the school.
The changes to the building were all paid for by the owners of the building.

LESSONS LEARNED

What advice would you give to schools that want to follow in your footsteps?

Small steps can be made without large costs being incurred. The use of eco-monitors in each class made a big impact. Also, monitoring devices left on or on stand-by, via the Pod, was really useful. If you gain support to make bigger changes to the lighting system then do it.

NEXT STEPS

Has this project driven other Eco-Schools ideas and what is the school working on next?

We are always looking for new ideas and we meet each main term to discuss issues and look at ways to improve the school sustainability. We are working on other projects (growing area and composting more school waste) and looking to raise money for future projects.

 Posted: 10th May 2010

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