Ohio EPA Awards Oberlin College, Oberlin City Schools $50,000 to Enhance Environmental Dashboard

Oberlin College, in collaboration with the Oberlin City School District, has received a $50,000 award from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund to complete the Environmental Dashboard system that will be incorporated in the district’s new elementary school. This funding will be used to complete the Dashboard system and enhance curricular integration—to create innovative, authentic, and community-engaged learning experiences within and beyond Pk-12 STEM and a replicable model for other districts.

The Environmental Dashboard is used to monitor and display flows of water and energy through buildings. The goal is to make these invisible flows of resources visible, engaging, and teachable, while linking them to environmental conditions and smart decision-making.

The ultra-high resolution Dashboard system will meter and display all aspects of the school’s energy and water use including solar energy production and electricity use in mechanical systems, lighting, the cafeteria, classrooms, and electric car charging stations. The display and online-content will combine real-time data visualizations with an animated narrative to teach students, parents and visitors about resource flows through the school and how these are connected to the City of Oberlin’s commitments to environmental stewardship.

“Oberlin City School District is committed to sustainability and supports the drive to go green,” said Oberlin City School District Superintendent David Hall. “It’s important for the district to work in collaboration with Oberlin College in its efforts to create an eco-friendly environment.”