Education plays an important role in advancing energy efficiency and sustainability. Our K-12 education programs are designed to equip utilities with the tools they need to engage their communities, foster energy conservation, and inspire the next generation of energy-conscious leaders. In this blog, we explore the importance of effective reporting in K-12 education programs. Join us for a conversation with Chase Griswold, Education Program Manager, as he shares his expertise on leveraging reporting results to drive impactful outcomes in energy efficiency education.
Interviewee Spotlight
Interviewer: Thanks for chatting with us, Chase! Let’s get to know you a little better. Where are you located?
Chase: My wife, two pups, and I just moved down to Carlsbad, California at the beginning of February after 15 years in Reno, NV. I grew up in Southern California and learned to surf in Carlsbad, so paddling out at my childhood breaks as often as possible has definitely been the highlight of our recent move.
Interviewer: That sounds awesome! How long have you worked on education programs?
Chase: I started working on education programs with AM Conservation about 8 years ago, however, I began working on environmental education programs years before with the Municipal Water District of Orange County (CA) and Black Rock Solar (NV). In total, I have worked in environmental education for over 11 years.
Interviewer: And what inspired you to get involved with these education programs?
Chase: Environmental education and natural resource stewardship have been passions of mine for as long as I can remember. I think a combination of my family’s influence and knowledge gained from childhood science camps pushed me to care about a system that is way bigger than myself. These influences led me to pursue a B.S. in Environmental Sciences during my undergraduate and haven’t looked back since.
Interviewer: Sounds like your career path is exactly where you’re meant to be! When you’re not working, what do you like to do?
Chase: I love to surf, work out, golf (poorly), travel, garden, cook, and eat of course!
Reporting
Interviewer: Let’s talk reporting for education programs. There are many ways to set up reporting metrics, so what do you think is the most crucial step to ensure impactful reporting outcomes?
Chase: An essential and often overlooked step in reporting outcomes entails front-end conversations with both the program partner and third-party program evaluator (if applicable). This step allows all stakeholders to be aware of and agree upon program expectations, deliverables, and outcomes.
Interviewer: Having all parties be aligned at the get-go definitely seems important! Why is mastering reporting critical for program effectiveness?
Chase: Measuring program impact is the bottom line for demand-side management programs. This step in the program implementation process provides tangible results and real-world value for all program stakeholders to gauge the success of a program. Both objective and subjective program feedback are invaluable for a retrospective evaluation and prospective shaping of the program’s future. An honest, thorough evaluation process ensures that program goals are met, and the tactics are effective.
Interviewer: Can you provide examples of successful reporting strategies?
Chase: As an education team, we report program results through a variety of means and cadences. We aim to meet with our clients at least once a month, often bi-weekly and occasionally weekly. At these meetings, we provide any level of reporting our program partners request or require. Beyond these regular check-ins, we provide annual Program Summary Reports that comprehensively encompass participant feedback and account for all program measurable savings.
Interviewer: How can organizations apply these insights and reporting techniques to their programs?
Chase: Organizations can apply these insights and reporting techniques in several impactful ways. First, I’d say data-driven decision-making allows them to make informed choices based on solid evidence, then program performance monitoring helps track progress and make real-time adjustments. By identifying trends and patterns, they can understand the bigger picture and address recurring issues or replicate successful strategies. Effective resource allocation also ensures that resources are directed to the right areas for maximum impact and enhancing stakeholder communication keeps everyone informed and engaged, building stronger relationships and support. Lastly, continuous improvement is achieved by regularly reviewing and analyzing data to implement changes that lead to better outcomes over time.
Interviewer: Are there any tools or resources you recommend for better reporting and analysis?
Chase: We utilize many tools when analyzing our program reporting metrics a few that come to mind are Microsoft Power BI, Google Analytics, and HubSpot for outreach analysis. For our education programs, I particularly appreciate Microsoft Power BI due to the ability to integrate data from our CRMs into digestible dashboards for our program partners.
If you’re ready to begin your K-12 education program journey, contact us today!