Sustainability Lab

Sustainability Lab (SEEK 915) is an experiential learning course with projects focused on the integration of environmental sustainability and social impact with business objectives. The course combines working on a real-world project with a corporate or non-profit client with small group interactions with a faculty advisor and the other students in the class. The course is ideal for students seeking:

• experience with managing business and sustainability in an integrated fashion
• a general introduction to sustainability issues in target industries or functions
• to build a marketable resume and contacts in sustainability management
• looking to work in a sustainability related industry or job after graduation

Course Format
Teams of 3-5 students work with a client organization on pre-scoped but somewhat flexible projects. Each team works directly with a client project manager and under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The team presents the results to the management team and the class. The expected work load is 8-10 hr./week throughout the quarter. The class includes weekly team meetings with the faculty advisor, a mid-term and final presentation. See here for the syllabus: SEEK 915 Syllabus.

Bidding and Applying for Projects
S-Lab is open to students in all Kellogg programs, and to students outside Kellogg with permission of the faculty. There are no pre-requisites. The projects for the spring quarter 2013 are listed below. You need to bid for the S-Lab course [there is no enrollment constraint, so a minimal bid is sufficient]. In addition, you need to apply to work on a particular project of interest. To do so, please send an email to Prof. Klaus Weber by March 3. Include in your application a preference of project(s), rank ordered if applicable, and a current resume. Students can bid as teams, though we cannot always guarantee first project choices.
                                              
If you have additional questions about the course, please contact Prof. Klaus Weber.

Available Projects
Detailed descriptions of each project can be found in the syllabus.

	Client		Project Name		Keywords
	Autodesk		Evaluate utilities as a channel for sustainability solutions		greentech marketing, market research, channel strategies
	Autodesk		Green building software Go To Market plan		greentech marketing, marketing strategy (pricing, channels)
	Autodesk		Cloud based green building workflow automation prototype		engineering design, software development
	Baxter		Strategic review of sustainability priorities for 2020		sustainability strategy, stakeholder and policy analysis, healthcare
	Chicago Botanic Garden		Sustainability goals, measurement and communication plan		sustainability strategy, footprinting, reporting , communications
	Chicago Food    Co-op		Market scoping and business plan for food coop		business plan, start-up, coops, sustainable food retail/markets
	CNT Energy		Maximizing the benefits of the smart grid for residential electricity customers		energy markets, product design, marketing research and strategy
	CO2 Bambu		Amphibian housing for climate change adaptation		social enterprise, climate change policy, market research, Latin America
	Enphase		Monetize and/or securitize solar module data for solar energy sustainability		solar energy, business development, entrepreneurship
	Ogena Solutions		Market entry strategy to the US consumer market for pet grooming products		business strategy, entrepreneurship, impact investing
	Sweet Beginnings		Business plan for Chicago-based social enterprise		social enterprise, business strategy / development, stakeholder analysis
	Voltaic Systems		Competitive analysis and marketing plan for photovoltaic charging systems		solar energy, competitive analysis, social media marketing
	Watershed Capital		Consolidation strategy for renewable energy company		renewable energy, mergers & acquisitions, impact investing, strategy
	Woodward, Inc.		Carbon footprint calculation and reduction recommendations aerospace plant		footprinting, eco-efficiency, operations strategy