We were tasked with meeting with the SAISD Energy and Sustainability Department and helping them conserve 5–10% of their annual energy usage.

Recently, SAISD kicked off a variety of programs and initiatives geared toward making their schools more energy efficient. These include installing LED lighting systems, upgrading HVAC systems, and implementing smart energy management systems.

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Meeting at facility service buildings, we met with our stake holders, Aaron Stein and Samuel Vargas, on implementing a new energy savings initiative.

One issue they couldn't solve was the non-technical issues of energy consumption and waste, such as changing behaviors and habits of students and staff. They recognized the need for an educational campaign to raise awareness about the importance of energy conservation and encourage everyone to adopt more sustainable practices.

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They observed that the biggest energy consumers in a school building were air conditioning and lighting. They are always on to keep the building well-lit and at a constant temperature.

HVAC and lighting use the most energy in all buildings. In newer buildings, the school installed LED lighting and upgraded HVAC systems to save energy. These measures were not possible in older buildings due to budget constraints. Some campus buildings from before the 1950s had inefficient heating and cooling systems. The school had a limited budget for upgrading these systems, making it hard to reduce energy consumption in older buildings, which accounted for 60% of all SAISD schools.

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Saving energy one day at a time

We discussed various energy-saving methods before settling on human energy consumption, also known as behavioral energy efficiency.

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Because I dislike tedious tasks, I noted that the task should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. And with that, the 5-minute shutdown was born.

I suggested we really focus on things that can be done in 5 minutes or less, such as turning off lights when leaving a room, unplugging electronics when not in use, and adjusting thermostat settings. This way, people can easily incorporate these energy-saving behaviors into their daily routines without feeling overwhelmed or burdened.

We spent the next 30 minutes refining our concept and developing an early version of our 5-minute shutdown. Recognizing some of the major sources of energy waste in schools.

JZ created an early mockup of the poster. We wanted the checklist to have repeatable and reversible steps for when they arrive or leave for the day. When leaving a classroom, the draft poster recommended energy-saving practices such as turning off lights, shutting down computers, and closing windows. We wanted the checklist to be simple to use for students and teachers of all ages.

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We also wanted a call to action on the 5-minute shutdown so people could understand its impact and how much energy they're saving. We decided to pair the 5-minute shutdown with a video and landing page.

One requirement of the internship was to create a video. We decided that the video would introduce the problem to whoever scans the QR code and direct them to a website with more information and resources on energy conservation. Viewers would be able to learn about the benefits of the 5-minute shutdown as well as find additional tips on how to reduce energy consumption in their daily lives.

Before we got started on the deliverables, Bee project executives wanted a “face” to represent the challenge, and any subsequent challenges. Together we created the Student Energy Engagement initiative or SEE initiative.

Since this was the inaugural BEE Project internship, the Bee Project executives wanted to create a brand that would host future challenges and initiatives related to energy conservation. They envisioned the SEE initiative as a platform where students could not only learn about energy-saving practices but also actively participate in various campaigns and competitions.

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Dividing up the Deliverables:

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We divided our skills based on the work needed for the project. I worked on the copy and digital aspects of the project.

We were all fresh graduates with different skill sets, but we were all designers or had experience in design-related fields. As a result, we were able to bring a diverse range of perspectives and ideas to the table, resulting in a well-rounded and visually appealing final product for the SEE initiative.

Isaias worked on the branding aspect of the SEE Initiative, creating a face for our challenge, The See Initiative.

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JZ developed the visuals and layout of the 5-minute shutdown challenge, the core interactive challenge of our initiative.

Johnathan served as strategy lead and co-designer of many aspects of the project, providing support and direction with JZ, Isaias, and me. Additionally he created a Styleguide for future Bee project interns and SEE initiative.

I worked on the “home base” of our challenge, a website and video where people can download their own version of the challenge, and be introduced to our problem.

Johnathan and I used Figma to create a mockup of the website design, ensuring a user-friendly but easily navigated website for heavy mobile usage. In addition, I used assets created by JZ and Isaias to improve the visual appeal of the website. We also conducted user testing with BEE Project executives to gather feedback and make necessary improvements before releasing the final version.

The video had to be informative, memorable, and brief. I researched education energy usage statistics and gathered BEE Project energy experts' perspectives on energy consumption to create the script and video.

I also worked on the copy for the 5-minute shutdown, coming up with snappy punchlines that are quick and easy to remember.

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Final Presentation:

At CAST Tech High School, we presented all of our work and our final solution to SAISD. We connected with SAISD executives, representatives from corporate sponsors CPS, Energy Bees, and Itron, as well as fellow teachers and families.

It was incredible to see how enthusiastic people were about our project. The event allowed us to demonstrate the impact of our efforts while also fostering important community connections. I saw my teachers one last time as they helped us with our presentation. Knowing that this was the last time we'd all be together in this capacity was bittersweet. Their presence and encouragement, on the other hand, reaffirmed the importance of our hard work and dedication throughout the project.

Thanks to our industry partners, SAISD and CAST Tech, the mayor of San Antonio welcomed us with a video message, expressing his appreciation for our hard work and the positive impact our project hopes to have on the SAISD community. Hearing his words of encouragement and knowing that our efforts had been recognized at such a high level was inspiring.

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Final Poster and Video

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One year later, and we still continue to make an impact

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Over the 2022 school year, we assisted SAISD in saving 1.6 MW, or $400,000 in energy costs. By emphasizing the behavioral aspects of energy consumption and employing design and marketing to reinforce energy-saving habits.

Almost a full year after my initial Bee Project internship and a few months after my Bee Project project management internship. I visited a local san Antonio High School and saw the 5-minute shutdown in many of the classrooms.