Otis Volunteers Help Students Innovate to Reduce the Impacts of Climate Change

We know the next generation is highly motivated to solve the challenges of today for a better tomorrow. At Otis, we’re tapping into the insights and enthusiasm of young minds around the world and providing them with the guidance and resources they need to realize their goals. It’s all part of our third year of the Made to Move Communities™ global student challenge, and our commitment to help more students connect and thrive with early exposure to STEM concepts to offer solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges.

This year, more than 180 Otis volunteers from across disciplines and countries teamed up with over 230 students from 15 countries and territories to take a hard look at their communities and generate innovative solutions that help reduce the impacts of climate change and improve mobility. Every mentor and student had a different reason for participating, but they all shared one goal: to build a brighter tomorrow.

Here are just a few compelling stories from the mentors themselves, sharing their experiences guiding and motivating students who are learning what it takes to create and share solutions for some of the world’s greatest challenges.

Tyler B., Otis Americas​

Tyler B. is a Regional Sales Manager for Otis in Chicago, Illinois, and a mentor to the student team at Uplift Community High School, helping them generate creative new ideas for addressing the challenges that climate change presents to inclusive mobility. By combining windmill and solar panel technology, these young innovators developed a way to provide light and heating to bus stop waiting areas without further taxing the energy infrastructure — while simultaneously making the community safer and more comfortable for daily commuters.

“The team created this solution through a series of brainstorming exercises,” Tyler explained, “with the purpose of coming up with an idea that could help create a long-term, sustainable environment for generations to come.”

Reflecting on the project, Tyler said his favorite part was “interacting with the high school students and opening their eyes to future opportunities.”

Toshiharu T., Otis Asia Pacific
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Toshiharu T. works in the Management Department, Quality Division of Nippon Otis in Tokyo, and he also studied meteorology and environmental science at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He was excited to use that knowledge and experience to support the students he worked with during the Made to Move Communities challenge.

Together, they developed a plan to help vehicles mitigate inconveniences and lost travel time caused by the heavy snowfall being seen as a result of climate change.

“Many people’s need for mobility is greatly affected by climate change, and climate change must be mitigated,” Toshiharu said. “I was able to hear innovative ideas from the students that I had never imagined.”

Kelvin Z., Otis China
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Kelvin Z. is a Talent Acquisition Manager for Otis China, and he’s also a mentor for the Flying Dragon Team from China Jiliang University, a contender in this year’s Made to Move Communities challenge with their solution that makes it easier for mobility and that repurposes wasted energy for improved efficiency.

Kelvin recalls the development process fondly. “I remember the first brainstorming session we had was at 10PM on a Friday night. The students had just returned to the dorm after studying late and immediately got into the online discussion. All of us put forward our creative ideas and analyzed them in terms of their relevance, innovativeness and potential. They were fully engaged and passionate throughout the challenge.”

Sonia Susana E., Otis Europe, Middle East and Africa
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Sonia Susana E. is the Talent Development & Inclusion Lead for South East Europe and has experienced the impact of climate change firsthand in Italy, with hotter, drier summers causing difficulties with irrigation and winters being unseasonably warm. “If we haven’t been able to solve the problems, we need to support the future’s leaders to do better than us,” she said.

Her team’s solution? An app that shows sustainable mobility options in your local community, simultaneously lowering the carbon footprint of users and making those communities more inclusive and supportive for people with disabilities or mobility challenges. It also collects data, anonymously, to create a more efficient system for public transport.

“The student’s enthusiasm and commitment are incredible,” Sonia says. “I think we all feel energized by their passion, and we also feel a huge sense of responsibility. We have to support them because they really want to be part of the solution.”

Learn more about Made to Move Communities program and the innovations created by students empowered through our Otis volunteers here.