Schneider Electric and BISD Collaborate on a STEM-based Activity

Schneider Electric, an energy service company, was contracted by the BISD to address the lighting, air-conditioning, and related issues at the following schools: Porter ECHS, Besteiro MS, Garcia MS, Lucio MS, Aiken ES, Paredes ES, Southmost ES, and the Aquatic Center. The improvements are part of the district’s commitment to being an innovative, proactive, green district and making facilities safer and overall more conducive to learning. As Schneider Electric proceeds with these projects the company also makes an effort to collaborate with the district through its many student engagement initiatives.

The first of these initiatives was a tree-planting project carried out at Castañeda Elementary. The second took place during the month of October which was Energy Awareness Month. Company representatives met with district and campus personnel at Garcia Middle School to conduct a Solar Car Race. On the first day of the STEM-based learning activity Schneider Electric employees provided an introductory lesson to sixth grade students about renewable energy and its benefits. They then distributed solar car kits to teams of students so they could build their solar cars. On the second day the sixth grade teams went outside and with the help of a sunny morning competed against one another to determine which solar car would go the farthest. A reflective discussion was held after the racing to review and summarize what the students had learned from their activity.

The Garcia Middle School administration and sixth grade teachers were especially grateful to Schneider Electric for not only providing all of the materials for the event but guiding the instruction as well. The company has already made plans for additional collaboration with BISD through Science Fairs that will take place in December and January. View the event photos and videos. View the event photos.