Green by Association

The new energy-efficient light bulbs overhead gave eight-grade science teacher Kim Dyer a bright idea.

In years past, her students at South Middle School in Arlington Heights, Ill., learned the laws of chemistry and physical science properties through science fair projects that explored which laundry detergent cleans better and which metals conduct more electricity.

"Some kids got into it, a lot of kids didn't," she said. "Those are the things that, over the course of the years, they're not going to remember."

So when the lighting control corporation Lutron Electronics Co. said it wanted to monitor the energy levels in her classroom and compare data between her room and the classroom next door, Dyer said, "Can we use the information like a science experiment?"

With the new energy-efficient lights, Dyer realized that her classroom could be one big experiment. Now her students can see that their classroom uses 50 percent less energy than the adjacent room. They analyze how weather patterns affect lighting conditions and how solar power works. They also build dimmer switches.

In an age where the measure of success comes from standardized tests, Dyer's collaboration with Lutron illuminates a growing trend. Increasingly, K-12 schools are partnering with nonprofit groups, state agencies and companies to cultivate curriculums that teach students the value of environmentalism and energy efficiency. These joint efforts give teachers resources that supplement science lessons and give outside organizations access to the future workforce. By conducting experiments that have a real impact, students see the world in a new light.

When powers combine

For the past two years, the students in Dyer’s science class have been hard at work trying to find ways to save energy at the school. They brainstorm ideas, apply for grants, meet professionals and write proposals to present to the school board. In fact, it was the students’ idea to save energy by using less light, which led to the contract with Lutron.

“Part of what made them so excited about these lights is that the kids got them here,” Dyer said. “They can see that they can make a difference and have an effect on people.”

Lutron had never collaborated with a school to create curriculum before. But when Steve Beede, the company's market development manager, walked into Dyer's classroom, the students had a profound effect on him.