Kromrey Middle School's Green Team members showcased their dedication to sustainability by participating in the Renew Our Schools Competition, hosted by Focus on Energy and the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP). The six-week competition empowers students to champion energy-saving practices in their schools and communities.
The team of environmentally conscious sixth graders and eighth graders analyzed energy usage at Kromrey by using an energy monitoring system, eGauge, to track electricity use and discover the impact of no-cost actions to conserve energy. Team members drafted a forward-thinking energy policy and inspired their teachers and peers to embrace energy-efficient practices.
Their simple yet impactful changes encouraged the school community to turn off lights, unplug unnecessary electronics, open blinds to harness natural light, maintain consistent thermostat settings, and ensure projectors were powered down when not in use. The team's efforts proved incredibly effective, resulting in a staggering energy savings of 10,401 kilowatt-hours and a remarkable 12.30% reduction in overall energy consumption during the competition.
The Green Team earned second place out of 16 schools in the competition. Team members' hard work and creative problem-solving are shining examples of how young leaders can inspire meaningful change.
Team members included Chloe Acker, Maya Adams, Kayla Cleaveland, Ansel Freitag, Zoe Koplin, Brenna Lang-Grimsley, Thea Langlois, Amelie Langlois, Apollo Sanner, Eliz Sarlioglu, Ava Simcock, Abby Spaeth and Lina Weiss.
Congratulations to the Green Team and their advisors – Ms. Jenna Peterson and Ms. Maria Pittner – for their exceptional accomplishment and for building a brighter, greener future!