Lights Out! Challenge
For this activity, your students will be attempting to lower their daily usage of electricity by
turning off lights.
This challenge should be completed by the entire class. Students will earn points based on
their actions throughout a period of one week. Points should be totaled on the first day of
class following the challenge period. Students can either tally their points individually or
break into small groups.
Instructions
1. Print out one copy of the Challenge Tally Sheet for each student.
2. Students should look at the different ways to earn points. These are the actions they
should be attempting to complete for the week.
3. Each time an action is completed, students should fill in the box next to the action. They
will earn the number of points associated with that action.
4. At the start of each day, students can add up the points they earned during the previous
day.
5. At the end of the week, students can add up the total amount of points earned throughout the challenge.
6. Bonus points can be earned by completing any of the bonus challenges.
7. The winner of the challenge will receive a special pin to wear during their field trip! Just
email the name of your school and the winner(s) to [email protected] before
your trip date.
8. After the completion of the Challenge, students should answer the post-challenge questions.
Lights Out! Challenge
Tally Sheet
When you complete one of the following actions on that day, fill in the box next to that action! Tally up your points at the end of each day and at the end of the week.
Monday
 Turned off all the lights in my house before leaving for school (2 points)
 Turned off all the lights in my house before going to bed (2 points)
 Did not turn on lights in the house until after sunset (5 points)
Tuesday
 Turned off all the lights in my house before leaving for school (2 points)
 Turned off all the lights in my house before going to bed (2 points)
 Asked someone else in my family to turn off their lights (5 points)
Wednesday
 Turned off all the lights in my house before leaving for school (2 points)
 Turned off all the lights in my house before going to bed (2 points)
 Asked a friend who is not in my class to turn off their lights (5 points)
Thursday
 Turned off all the lights in my house before leaving for school (2 points)
 Turned off all the lights in my house before going to bed (2 points)
 Explained to my parents why it is important to turn off lights (5 points)
Friday
 Turned off all the lights in my house before leaving for school (2 points)
 Turned off all the lights in my house before going to bed (2 points)
 Asked my parents if we are using energy efficient light bulbs (5 points)
Bonus Challenges
 Decided to spend one hour outside instead of inside to save energy (5 points)
 Found someplace in my school where we can save energy and told my teacher (5 points)
 Spoke to a family member outside of my home about saving energy (5 points)
 Replaced one old light bulb with a new, energy efficient light bulb (10 points)
Lights Out! Challenge
Post-Challenge Questions
1. Think about how much energy you saved during this challenge. Assume that you forgot to
turn off your bedroom light each time you went to school, and you forgot to turn off the
bathroom light each time you went to bed. How many extra hours of energy would you have
spent throughout the week? What if you did that every day for a year?
2. Here at the Philadelphia Zoo, we know that saving energy saves wildlife. What else can
you save if you remember to save energy every day? Hint: Think about what you need to
generate light in your home, and think about what your family does to make sure your electricity works.
3. Take some time to think about other sources of light. Can you think of a way for your
family to use less energy on lighting by switching to a different source of light?
4. If you switch out ten light bulbs in you home to an energy efficient bulb, you can save
over $100 per year! What would you do if you had an extra $100 to spend?