Welcome Back!

What we're looking forward to this year!

We’re busy getting ready for another exciting school year, full of energy resources for you and your classrooms! Here are some of the things we’re looking forward to most. 

Samara, KEEP Outreach Program Manager

I’m looking forward to the many student career fairs around Wisconsin. KEEP will be presenting at several fairs and I’m excited to see students and teachers exploring tools and skills used in renewable energy.

Wendy, KEEP Youth and Community Engagement Specialist

I’m excited about working with students and educators in many capacities across the state of Wisconsin including the Renew Our Schools energy conservation competition, career fairs, STEAM/STEM and conservation days. I am also looking forward to highlighting and celebrating excellent Wisconsin energy educators through KEEP’s Energy Educator of the Year awards. 

Laureanna, KEEP Education Outreach Specialist

I’m excited about developing a new online training for Wisconsin teachers about renewable energy in our state! I hope it will be a good resource for teachers who want to bring more local information into their classrooms. 

Heather, WCEE Student Resource Specialist

I’m really looking forward to seeing what projects students embark on this fall through the Green Team Mini-Grants or the Youth Climate Conference.

What are looking forward to? Let us know at keep@uwsp.edu.

Over the course of six School Energy Action-packed weeks, students will become energy detectives of their own school building. They’ll be equipped with the tools to conduct an energy audit, examining lighting, HVAC systems, and appliance loads. With access to real-time electricity usage data via a data logger, students will analyze where energy is consumed throughout their school and identify areas for improvement. 

Students will use their findings to create and implement a school-wide energy policy that reduces consumption, lowers utility costs, and shrinks their school's carbon footprint. It’s a powerful blend of STEM learning, problem-solving, and civic action. 

Whether you’ve participated before or this is your first time, Renew Our Schools is a unique way to bring energy literacy to life and help students see that their efforts truly matter. There will be almost 20 new School Energy Actions for this school year! 

Learn more and register your school by visiting Renew Our Schools Competition. We have 10 Wisconsin schools already enrolled for the fall program. 

Let’s empower students to be the change-makers our planet needs—one kilowatt at a time. 

Energy Educator of the Year applications are open!

KEEP is seeking nominations for the Wisconsin Energy Educator of the Year Award.

Awardees will be selected by a review panel and will receive $1,000 for their school and recognition at the WAEE Celebration of Excellence Awards Banquet in the spring.

Nominate yourself or others for this award by December 31, 2025.

Green Team Mini-Grant applications now open!

Know any students who have a passion to make a difference, but need some funding to do so? 

This fall, we’re offering another round of Green Team Mini-Grants! Students can apply for a $300-$700 mini-grant to do a project to save energy at their school or improve energy education. 

Past projects have included purchasing smart power strips and timers for printers or smart boards, building a wind turbine to compete in KidWind, and installing LEDs.

Students and teachers are invited to attend a virtual Info Session for more information at 4 p.m. on October 23 or 27. Alternatively, students can jump straight into submitting an Idea Form to share their idea with us. We can’t wait to see what projects students will come up with this year!

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

Register Today for NAAEE 2025!

Registration is now open for the online North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) 2025 Conference (November 3–6) and Research Symposium (October 30).

Join NAAEE and educators worldwide in exploring how we use environmental education to move “Forward Together” to advance environmental literacy and civic engagement.

With more than 200 engaging sessions and keynotes, this conference will delve into how education can inspire action, build environmental stewardship, and create healthier, more resilient communities. NAAEE 2025 offers a rich variety of sessions, workshops, presentations, symposium panels, discussions, posters, and bright spots - including one from KEEP, along with great opportunities for networking, growth, and change.

NAAEE is committed to making this online experience accessible to all by offering reduced rates for those who need them. Check the conference website for information.

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The KEEP program is funded with generous support by Alliant Energy, Madison Gas and Electric, We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, WPPI Energy, and Xcel Energy. 

Published August 2025