Green Cup Challenge
The Green Cup Challenge (GCC) is an interschool, student driven, energy competition, sponsored by the Green Schools Alliance. The goal of this four-week competition is to raise awareness among our students and school community about energy conservation and electrical usage, while engaging in a fun competition between school divisions and other schools. Rowland Hall has participated in the challenge since 2009, and over time we’ve achieved some significant, measurable reductions in our electrical usage during the month of the competition and beyond.
Much as been done to improve the operational efficiencies of our school, including the installation of solar panels, a complete lighting retrofit and changes in the building operating times. The other steps we take are simple ones such as: turning off lights, using natural light whenever possible, unplugging electrical equipment when not in use and switching off power strips at day’s end. These are all measures you can implement at home, too. It’s also important for us to continue our energy conservation efforts throughout the year, maintaining the good habits practiced during the month-long Challenge.
The GCC empowers students and builds community, while raising awareness about climate change and the importance of resource conservation. It creates hands-on learning opportunities about the environment, and raises awareness in our school about the important role each person can play to build a safe, sustainable future.
2011
2011 Final Results (coming soon)
2010
2009
Report from Alan Sparrow . . .
Earth Day Celebrations
(coming soon)
Wind Power
95% of electricity in Utah is generated from coal-fired power plants, which negatively impacts our global climate and human health, while contributing significantly to the levels of mercury pollution. Coal-generated electricity contributes about half of the greenhouse gas emissions in Utah. Wind is a viable, environmentally friendly alternative. In Western North America, wind could generate 150% of our electrical needs.
Rowland Hall's Fourth Grade Windpower Project
In 2006-07, when the 73 fourth grade students learned about wind power, they decided to act on that knowledge and make their share of the grid electricity come from new wind sources. Based on the total electricity use by the school and the total number of students, this was achieved when each student donated $3.17 to the campaign. End result? The fourth grade purchased wind power to cover 169% of their needs. In 2007-08, these same students, now as fifth graders, acted as wind ambassadors to the fourth grade, and with their help, the fourth grade achieved 231% of its goal. The work of these fourth and fifth graders inspired the track team to “offset” all its 2007-2008 travel costs for meets!
Contribute to Production of Wind Power
Parents and friends of Rowland Hall who wish to contribute to the production of new wind energy on the western grid will find these links helpful:
The University of Utah Wind Program
Rocky Mountain Blue Sky Program
