2008 Winner Profiles
Societal Challenge
First Place
Cool Schools Campaign
Redmond High School, Redmond
Zachary Doleac, Joseph Hegge, Emily Guo, Laura Wang, Jamie Hall
Advisor: Mike Town
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Students at Redmond High School launched the “Cool Schools Campaign,” challenging teachers to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 1,000 pounds per classroom. Their methods were simple: directing teachers to turn off unneeded lights, drop thermostats, carpool, reuse, and recycle.
The students conducted surveys and energy audits that focused on carbon dioxide savings in transportation, heating, electricity, and waste. The end-of-year results were astonishing. Teachers surpassed the Cool School Challenge goal and reduced the school’s carbon dioxide emissions by 72 tons—saving the school district about $7,500.
In the year ahead, the students are raising their goal, aiming to eliminate to 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per classroom. Campuswide, they expect to save about 100 tons of carbon dioxide emissions by the end of the school year.