Solo

SOLO stands for “Schools Out Lights Out” which is our key message. Our app is designed for school staff and students to help them make an actual practical contribution to the environment.

When we heard in the news that schools in the UK on average spend £63,000 per month on energy and that here at Kempston Academy we could save £83 per day just by turning off devices like smart boards, projectors, PCs and light switches. It just felt like we must do something!

It should drastically reduce energy usage in our school. We think then, if everyone sees it working in our school, it could easily be replicated in schools everywhere. This would send out a positive message to communities and then the Government saying that even small changes ultimately have a big impact.

We also think that the money savings might be usable for school equipment, repairs, upgrades and more. Impact on the planet and people’s lives at the same time!

The app will do 3 things…

• Allow staff to remotely turn off all devices in their classrooms at the press of a button from wherever they are. They’ll also get a notification at a convenient time chosen by the user themselves.

• Set a realistic and simple daily environment challenge in return for "Green Points". These could be redeemable for practical prizes or recognition.

• Act as a suggestion box for all staff, students and community members for all new environmental ideas big or small. These ideas can then be recycled as daily challenges or taken to people who might be able to action them.

We want the app to be a source of more environmental change.

We think we have an idea that is easy to grow and gets a wide variety of people involved (it can be for any age, all staff, the local community, and young people inside and outside of schools). It also starts with something simple and easy to understand like a lot of the best apps… School’s Out, so Lights Out!