The Alliance to Save Energy’s PowerSave Schools program has empowered students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade to save their schools energy and money for 25 years. The program, sponsored in New Jersey by New Jersey Natural Gas and South Jersey Gas, works with teams of 10 to 30 students at each school.
Through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math) curriculum, aligned to New Jersey’s Next Generation Science Standards, students gain a fundamental understanding of energy and the practical skills to drive energy savings across their schools. They perform energy audits, develop data-driven solutions, and deliver their recommendations to peers and school administrators alike. The results they achieve are impressive. Participating schools have averaged 5% to 15% in electricity savings.
Kelly Stone and Michele Morey, teachers at George L. Catrambone Elementary School in Long Branch, Monmouth County are four-year veterans of PowerSave Schools. They explain the program’s value: “This program is preparing our students for a greener tomorrow and empowering them to become environmental stewards. Through the program, they are developing leadership skills that will serve them in all aspects of education, their careers, and life. Problem-solving current world issues and innovating solutions, our students are ready and excited to change the world!”
PowerSave Schools works with 67 schools in New Jersey, and still has space for additional schools for the current year. Interested schools should email Doug Abbott for more information.