Bright Idea: Lights-Off Campaign to Save Energy!

Want to inspire your students with a practical lesson in energy conservation? The Lights-Off Campaign is a hands-on STEM activity that demonstrates the power of small, consistent actions. By encouraging students to use natural light and track energy-saving habits, this activity fosters environmental responsibility and teamwork.

How to Run a Lights-Off Campaign in Your Classroom

1. Set the Stage: Begin by discussing how using natural light reduces energy use. Explore scenarios where artificial lighting is necessary and when it’s not.
2. Make it a Challenge: Assign a rotating “Light Leader” who decides when to turn off the lights during the day. To make the activity more interactive, consider creating a friendly competition between classrooms or grades. Track which class can achieve the most “lights-off” moments over a week or month. Reward the winning group with a small eco-friendly prize, like a plant for their classroom or reusable water bottles.
3. Track Progress: Keep a tally on the board for each “lights-off” moment. Celebrate at the week’s end to highlight the class’s efforts. ave students calculate how much energy they’ve saved during the week by multiplying the number of hours the lights were off by the wattage of your classroom lights. Then, compare the savings to other energy uses, like charging a tablet or powering a fan, to give them perspective.
4. Reflect and Discuss: Wrap up with a conversation about how small energy-saving habits add up over time, reinforcing the lesson’s impact.

Why It Matters

Did you know that turning off classroom lights for just one hour a day can save enough energy to power a laptop for eight hours? This campaign helps students visualize the real-world impact of simple actions.

Extend the Lesson with STEM Connections

• Environmental Science: Explore how reducing electricity use contributes to sustainability.
• Math Skills: Calculate energy savings from classroom data to connect conservation to measurable results.
• Leadership Development: Empower students with roles like the “Light Leader” to encourage decision-making and responsibility.

Join the Movement to Save Energy

The Lights-Off Campaign is a fun, interactive way to integrate STEM and sustainability into your classroom. By participating, students learn the importance of mindful energy use while gaining a sense of accomplishment in contributing to a greener future.

Want to go even further? Join a Renew Our Schools competition today!