Lights for Learning : Program Results and Testimonials

The winners have been chosen in the "Do Your Part" poster contest.
Click here to see the winning submissions!

Unplug your unused electronics!
Many appliances still consume energy even when turned off. Items left plugged in, such as a cell phone charger or laptop adapter, can leak more than 20 watts of power per hour.
Shut off your computer monitor!
Set your computer and monitor to shut off automatically through your operating system--'stand-by' mode uses 70% less power and 'shut down' mode turns the computer completely off.
Don't play then walk away!
When you leave a game console like xBox or PS3 on and then walk away without turning it off, it's like leaving as many as three 60-watt light bulbs on.
Unplug your phone charger!
Battery chargers can waste up to 20 times more energy than they actually use to charge something. Even when they're not charging anything at all!
Install CFLs to save energy, money!
Lights account for 15% of a home's energy use. Replacing the standard incandescent bulbs in your house with Compact Florescent Lights (CFLs) could reduce the energy used by your lights by 50%-70%!
Learn more tips!

Do you have questions about mercury in CFLs and the proper ways of disposal and clean-up.
Learn how to recycle CFLs!

Take the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge! Show your commitment to saving energy and helping reduce the risk of global climate change.
Check current results for programs in:
Connecticut | Illinois

Say cheese! Check out our gallery of Energy Savers here.
Send us your photos!

Loads of links to energy efficiency games for kids, lesson plans for teachers, and resources for schools. Read the monthly "Watt's Going Down" newsletter. Check it all out !

Program Results

The Lights for Learning™ Program is happy to introduce our newest member to the Lights for Learning team, John Koslowski. John is retired from AT&T where he was a Telecommunications Specialist for 23 years. His experience includes tenure as the Manager of several Little League Baseball teams throughout Hickory Hills and Justice, a Youth Leader for St. Fabian Catholic Church, and a Skills U.S.A. Automotive Skills Contestant Judge. Look for John at various presentations and events throughout Illinois during the 2009-2010 school year!

Since the beginning of August 2009, Lights for Learning representatives have presented the Program to over 5,000 children and adults throughout Illinois including the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, the Midwest Environmental Educations Conference in Champaign, the Illinois Association of Science Teachers Conference in Peoria, and at various Energy and Solar Energy workshops held through the greater Chicago area.

Schools from DeKalb to West Frankfort, and Prairie du Rocher to Palestine have hosted Lights for Learning in-school presentations. Each presentation now features the new Lights for Learning Energy Bike. Students have the opportunity to become the power plant as the pedal their way to powering four Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs). Then, with the flip of a switch, student realize the additional amount of energy necessary to power just one incandescent light bulb! Request a Lights for Learning presentation for your school or organization today!

Since the inception of the Lights for Learning Program, over 30,000 students, educators, administrators and parents have been witness to the presentations with school and organization proceeds totaling $111,734.00! Illinois students have sold more than 91,000 energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), LED holiday lights, and other energy saving products. Their energy conservation efforts equate to lifetime savings of $7,093,684.00 for Illinois residents, the atmospheric reduction of 77,077,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide, and the conservation of 7,946 acres of forest. Kudos on a job well done!

Lights for Learning Fundraiser...What is your group doing with the money you earn?

A Vito Martinez Middle School in Romeoville, IL used funds to help sponsor and promote a town-wide America Recycles Day on November 14, 2009.

Millennium School in Homewood, IL will complete a school courtyard promoting green awareness.

St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Winfield, IL will use proceeds as 'seed' money for green committee initiatives.

Tarkington School of Excellence in Chicago, IL is hosting a community 'green night' to teach local residents how to conserve, compost, and be green in the home.

Teacher and Coordinator Testimonials

Laura from Andrew High School, Tinley Park:

"It is an eco-friendly way to raise money and raise awareness."

Gina from St. Edward School, Chillicothe:

"It's something everyone uses and it helps save money!"

Phyllis from Hitch School, Chicago:

Likes that the overall message of 'reducing our carbon footprint'.

Barry from Bloom HS, Chicago Heights:

"Profit + eco-responsibility = Lights for Learning"

Nancy from St. Michael School, Orland Park:

"The opportunity to encourage environmental awareness, increase community support, and raise needed funds for our school"

Kesney from Hille Middle School, Oak Forest:

"The opportunity to educate students about compact fluorescent lights bulbs and the environment. Focus on issues important to our students."

Matt from Urbana High School, Urbana:

"Focus on environmentally responsible products which means energy and money savings for the customer and raising money for our club."

Lights 4 Learning in the news!

Longtime Lights for Learning participant, Barry Latham, of Bloom High School in Chicago Heights, made the local news with his interesting and hands on science experiment. The online article, posted on November 29, 2009 in the Southtown Star, included a brief description of the Lights for Learning Program. An excerpt of the article appears below and the archived article can be read in its entirety (for a fee) on www.southtownstar.com under the 'Cafeteria fryer powers Bloom teacher's car, science lesson'.

Green lights make green stacks
By Casey Toner, November 29, 2009

Eco-friendly lights mean more for some Bloom High School students than just saving nature. Throughout October, participating students sold compact florescent light bulbs to friends, family members and relatives to raise money for the Bloom High School science club. A total of 171 bulbs were sold, raising $330. Prior to the sale, Lights for Learning education presenter John Koslowski talked to students about the value of using energy efficient light bulbs. Lights for Learning, the organization responsible for the light bulb fundraiser, is funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as well as Commonwealth Edison.

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