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VIDEO: Penndale Enact club learns about conserving energy
How many watts does a microwave oven use? How about a classroom smart board?
Even though the Penndale Middle School has already qualified as an Energy Star school, students in the Enact environmental club are learning how to help their school reach even greater levels of energy efficiency.
Science teachers John Collier and Brian Conti applied for a grant from PECO called Energizing Education. The teachers attended a two-day training session at The Franklin Institute and received energy education kits with equipment related to solar energy and hydroelectric energy. The Enact club is putting those kits to use at its weekly meetings.
Meanwhile, the school is also participating in the Green Schools program, along with seven other North Penn schools. That program, coordinated by The Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit agency based in Washington, D.C., and sponsored in Pennsylvania by Direct Energy, seeks to help schools improve energy efficiency.
Todd Rogers, northeast regional coordinator for the National Energy Education Development Project, spoke to Enact club members Jan. 10 and put them to work using some of their equipment to measure power usage, along with room and water temperatures. The students toured the school’s boiler room, as well.
“The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions is right here,” said Rogers about the boiler. That is, he amended, the emissions that come directly from the building, not from electrical power plants.
Eighth-grader Sean McNamee, 14, tested stereo equipment, a computer and a smart board in Collier’s classroom to see how much electricity it takes to run that equipment. In a teacher’s lounge, the students checked two microwave ovens and a refrigerator.
“I think this is going to help the North Penn School District,” said McNamee. “Maybe we can cut down a lot more on our lights and how many computers we need and LED projectors.”
Collier was surprised that one of the microwave ovens uses 1,200 watts when running. Continued...
Rogers said, “They really pull a lot of juice, those microwaves.” But microwaves use less power when running than toaster ovens, he said.
Heather Daubney, 14, of Lansdale, said, “I think it’s really good for a school.” As for the Enact club, she added, “It just seemed like a really great way to get involved in.” Daubney said she is glad that the club is doing things to help the environment and the school.
“I think it’s really interesting the school puts the effort into making a club to make the world better,” said Kayla Rodriguez, 14, of Colmar.
One of the students’ findings was that a printer used 121 watts when it was on standby and 630 watts when it was running.
“That’s a good discovery right there,” said Rogers. “It’s something that should be turned off or unplugged.”
North Penn Energy Manager Thomas W. Schneider also spoke to the students, showing them how he can monitor the school’s energy system remotely via computer.
Principal Sean O’Sullivan approved an Enact homeroom. The club will be having an Earth Day event and also traveling to an alternative energy education center in Fairless Hills, Collier said.
Even though the Penndale Middle School has already qualified as an Energy Star school, students in the Enact environmental club are learning how to help their school reach even greater levels of energy efficiency.
Science teachers John Collier and Brian Conti applied for a grant from PECO called Energizing Education. The teachers attended a two-day training session at The Franklin Institute and received energy education kits with equipment related to solar energy and hydroelectric energy. The Enact club is putting those kits to use at its weekly meetings.
Meanwhile, the school is also participating in the Green Schools program, along with seven other North Penn schools. That program, coordinated by The Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit agency based in Washington, D.C., and sponsored in Pennsylvania by Direct Energy, seeks to help schools improve energy efficiency.
Todd Rogers, northeast regional coordinator for the National Energy Education Development Project, spoke to Enact club members Jan. 10 and put them to work using some of their equipment to measure power usage, along with room and water temperatures. The students toured the school’s boiler room, as well.
“The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions is right here,” said Rogers about the boiler. That is, he amended, the emissions that come directly from the building, not from electrical power plants.
Eighth-grader Sean McNamee, 14, tested stereo equipment, a computer and a smart board in Collier’s classroom to see how much electricity it takes to run that equipment. In a teacher’s lounge, the students checked two microwave ovens and a refrigerator.
“I think this is going to help the North Penn School District,” said McNamee. “Maybe we can cut down a lot more on our lights and how many computers we need and LED projectors.”
Collier was surprised that one of the microwave ovens uses 1,200 watts when running.
“I never knew how much power they use,” he said.
Rogers said, “They really pull a lot of juice, those microwaves.” But microwaves use less power when running than toaster ovens, he said.
Heather Daubney, 14, of Lansdale, said, “I think it’s really good for a school.” As for the Enact club, she added, “It just seemed like a really great way to get involved in.” Daubney said she is glad that the club is doing things to help the environment and the school.
“I think it’s really interesting the school puts the effort into making a club to make the world better,” said Kayla Rodriguez, 14, of Colmar.
One of the students’ findings was that a printer used 121 watts when it was on standby and 630 watts when it was running.
“That’s a good discovery right there,” said Rogers. “It’s something that should be turned off or unplugged.”
North Penn Energy Manager Thomas W. Schneider also spoke to the students, showing them how he can monitor the school’s energy system remotely via computer.
Principal Sean O’Sullivan approved an Enact homeroom. The club will be having an Earth Day event and also traveling to an alternative energy education center in Fairless Hills, Collier said.
