We’re proud to share some exciting news: EAGLE School took first place in the Fall 2025 Renew Our Schools Competition, earning over $2,000 for future energy efficiency projects! As a first-time participant in this statewide challenge, EAGLE’s fourth grade made an impressive mark alongside seven other Wisconsin schools.
With science teacher Tim Tynan at the helm, the timing was perfect. His students were already deep into their Microclimate Unit, studying how environmental factors affect temperature around our building. The competition expanded that inquiry inward, inviting students to examine the school itself as a kind of microclimate and explore how energy moves through it.
Over the six-week competition, fourth graders learned to read watts, calculate kilowatt-hours, and measure electricity using tools like the Kill A Watt™ monitor and our school’s eGauge system. They discovered how much energy everyday devices consume and how “phantom power” (electricity drawn even when devices are off) quietly adds up. In one memorable experiment, students turned off hallway lights for 15 minutes and watched energy use drop in real time on the eGauge. They found that with light from our skylights, the school could operate safely with far fewer lights on.
The experience clearly left a mark. Fourth grader Neils reflected, “Before, I wasn’t really aware of energy. I thought it wasn’t that important. Now I know how much it does and how important it really is.” His classmate Kira added that she used to think energy “just powered lights and computers.” Now she knows it powers almost everything.
We’re so proud of our fourth graders and Mr. Tynan for this fantastic achievement. For the full story, read the original article here.
