The CASDEM EngagED Energy Challenge is a K–12 sustainability program designed to foster energy conservation and student engagement within school districts. Building on the ReNew Our Schools Energy Challenge, it shifts resources internally within participating districts to strengthen local ownership, capacity, and long-term impact. On the CASDEM resources page, scroll down to find the link to the EngagED Energy Challenge. Educators who are not participating in the challenge will still find the lesson plans and other resources useful.

Core Program Details

• Program Structure: Schools participate in friendly competitions against other schools within their own district. The goal is to maximize energy savings and complete the highest number of School Energy Actions (SEAs).
• Flexibility & Duration: Designed to adapt to classroom-, club-, or whole-school-level participation. While retaining a standard 5-week format, it can easily expand across a full semester or school year for deeper learning.
• Student & Community Impact: Promotes hands-on learning and leadership, helping students create sustainable energy habits that extend beyond the competition.

Implementation & Partnerships

• CASDEM Oversight: Managed by the Colorado Association of School District Energy Managers (CASDEM), a professional network supporting district sustainability goals.
• District Collaboration: Schools get involved by partnering directly with their local CASDEM representative to track progress, complete SEAs, and cultivate a culture of conservation across campus.

Go to CASDEM resources page

Energy conservation fundamentally relies on action—shifting individual daily behaviors (like turning off lights or adjusting thermostats) and engaging in community-level decisions (such as advocating for energy efficiency policies or local renewable energy initiatives). The resources in this collection provide an overview of energy sources, consumption, and conservation, with a core focus on engaging students in hands-on investigations, such as conducting building energy audits, measuring lighting levels, calculating vampire loads, and analyzing utility bills. These activities prioritize developing practical STEM skills, scientific inquiry, data analysis, and critical thinking to evaluate real-world energy use.Overall, this collection directly targets the primary goal of energy conservation and environmental education: translating environmental awareness into actionable personal habits and collective civic engagement. 

View more resources in the Energy Conservation PRO Picks collection >