When students at Penny Creek Elementary in Everett noticed lights and computers being left on, they decided to do something about it. What began with a small group assessing the school’s needs quickly grew into a green team of 32 fourth and fifth graders focused on reducing energy usage on campus. To better understand the problem, students conducted classroom observations of energy use and surveyed teachers about their energy habits.
They met with district staff to share their ideas, tested early versions of reminder signs, and eventually created permanent prompts for classrooms and devices. They also gave school-wide announcements and secured a grant to cover costs, inviting the entire school community to participate.
Using EarthGen’s certification framework as a guide, students were able to structure their work and celebrate their progress as they built new skills in leadership and collaboration. The framework guided them to use evidence, such as data from classroom observations, and to design communication strategies that shared their findings with the school community. This school year, the green team is ready to expand their campaign and explore ways to bring energy saving practices home to families.