Celebrating 40 Years of Watt Watchers of Texas

Forty years ago, a simple idea sparked something extraordinary. Watt Watchers of Texas began as a creative way to teach students about saving energy, but over time it grew into a movement that has shaped classrooms, inspired careers, and helped schools across Texas save both energy and money. Today, as Watt Watchers celebrates its 40th anniversary, we look back at the journey with gratitude, a sense of nostalgia, and plenty of excitement for what’s still ahead.

The program was originally co-created and co-edited by Kirstin Wilsey from the Energy Center at The University of Texas at El Paso and Amy Neblett from Galveston ISD. Their goal was clear: give students the tools to understand how energy works and empower them to make a difference in their schools and communities. Even in its earliest days, Watt Watchers showed the power of student-led change. Between 1985 and 1986, the program helped Galveston ISD save $25,000 — a remarkable achievement at the time and a powerful example of how education can create real-world impact.

So what is Watt Watchers? At its core, the Watt Watchers of Texas is an energy efficiency program designed to help schools and families save money by reducing waste while building awareness about conservation and sustainability. Since 2018, the program has continued to grow through a collaboration between The University of Texas at Austin and the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), with the help of Dr. Michael E. Webber, a professor, author, and recognized energy expert. With more than 100 TEKS-aligned lessons and activities available in both English and Spanish, Watt Watchers continues to evolve while staying rooted in its original mission of empowering student energy patrols and making learning practical, engaging, and fun.

Over the decades, the reach of the Watt Watchers of Texas has expanded far beyond what its founders may have imagined. In 2024 alone, more than 1,000 Texas educators explored the program online, helping engage over 200,000 students through classroom lessons, community events, virtual programs, career fairs, and more. Since 2019, educator visits have surpassed 15,000, representing an estimated 700,000 students statewide. The PBS LearningMedia Collection, created in partnership with KLRN San Antonio, continues to connect teachers with resources every month. Across Texas, Watt Watchers has become a cherished part of school culture, remembered fondly by students and educators alike. For some former participants, those early experiences even sparked a lifelong passion for science and sustainability, leading them to careers as scientists, doctors, engineers, and environmental advocates.

After four decades, Watt Watchers of Texas remains a shining example of what happens when energy education meets creativity and community. From the first student energy patrols in the 1980s to today’s growing network of educators and learners, the program continues to inspire new generations to think critically about energy and the world around them. Happy 40th anniversary to Watt Watchers and here’s to many more years of curiosity, collaboration, and making every watt count!