Curriculum
Introduction
One of the primary functions of colleges and universities is to educate students. By training and educating future leaders, scholars, workers, and professionals; higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to understand and address sustainability challenges. Institutions that offer courses covering sustainability issues help equip their students to lead society to a sustainable future.
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A Call to Action Revisited: A Sustainability Challenge
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
Since 2010, AASHE member organizations have achieved a lot in terms of making their campuses more sustainable - progress that is now quantifiable based on the STARS assessment. Yet although …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Mapping Campus Connections: Using GIS Story Maps as part of Place-based, Art-led Environmental Education
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- River's Edge Academy (MN)
- National Park Service (DC)
Place-based, art-led environmental education can engage students and community with the immediate world around them and help them make connections between local sustainability issues in a community and global context. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Re-thinking Options for Curriculum and Faculty Development: How will we take it to the next level?
- Antioch University, New England (NH)
- University of Florida (FL)
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
The three organizers/presenters are university faculty and staff who have functional roles as researcher, sustainability director and sustainability practitioner. Coming from diverse institutions and disciplinary backgrounds, each organizer/presenter has a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Educating Energy Professionals of the Future
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- Xcel Energy
What's needed in our programs to educate future energy leaders? How will the gap of 50% of the utility workforce retiring in the next decade be filled? How can women …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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High Impact Leadership Trips: Student-Led Experiential Learning
- Concordia College (NY)
In 2012, Concordia College students organized an alternative spring break trip to Kentucky focused on how people are trying to stop mountaintop removal coal mining. This was so successful that …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Science in Curriculum and the Campus Decision-making Plan
- University of Hawaii Maui College (HI)
Sustainability science requires the use of systems thinking skills and problem driven analysis to address the need for broad, holistic responses to persistent societal problems. This presentation will 1) describe …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A World Café: Transforming University of Washington Sustainability Education
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
Have you ever been inspired by new ideas while sharing a cup of coffee with a friend or colleague? The World Café methodology creates opportunities for the generation of inspirational, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Educating About Feeding the World Sustainably: Agroecosystems of the World
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
This panel discussion will (virtually) bring together instructors collaborating on a course offered at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities titled 'Agroecosystems of the World.' The course evaluates agroecosystems in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Undergraduate Community Engagement in the Service of Sustainability: Connecting the ACTC Consortium with the City of St. Paul
- University of St. Thomas (MN)
In this session we will describe our experience leveraging the strengths of multiple institutions and engaging undergraduate students in project-based learning to improve the environmental sustainability of our city. The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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CLICS: Using Cyber-infrastructure to Bring Data from Campus Sustainability Efforts into the Classroom
- Clarkson University (NY)
CLICS (Cyber-Learning Infrastructure for Campus Sustainability) is a cyber-learning tool developed to transform data from campus sustainability projects in a way that can be used in a wide variety of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Evolution of a Campus as a Living Lab Grant Program
- California State University, Chancellor's Office (CA)
This session will introduce the California State University Campus as a Living Lab Initiative, the grant program designed to support sustainability in the curriculum. With two years of experience running …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing A Systems Based Curriculum to Develop 21st Century Sustainability Literacy and Communication
- Prescott College (AZ)
This interactive and innovative dissertation case study challenges the status-quo of modern education by offering a new model based off of living systems design. By identifying linear and industrial design …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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UBC Sustainability Scholars Program: Sustainability Internships as Drivers of Change
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Offered in collaboration with both on- and off-campus sustainability partners, the UBC Sustainability Scholars Program is designed to provide UBC graduate level students - regardless of their academic discipline - …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Integrating community-based learning into the sustainability classroom: A practical, collaborative approach
- University of South Dakota (SD)
Experiential learning is critical in sustainability because these hands-on, interactive experiences are often the most transformative of a student's formal education. Engaging students outside of the classroom can foster meaningful …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Including spirituality in the curriculum without conflicting with established beliefs systems
- University of Northern Colorado (CO)
Industrially developed nations, especially the USA, are showing a renewed search for spirituality, which seems to be a reaction to a materialistic consumer lifestyle, characterized by high levels of individualism, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Scaling applied learning across campus and into the community
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Portland State University (OR)
This workshop will start by outlining the national context of applied and experiential learning sustainability programs – identifying where universities and colleges are expanding the offerings provided to students and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Galvanizing Gaia: A Social Incubator for Women Leaders and Innovators (2015)
- Prescott College (AZ)
Join in the creation of a supportive context for women sustainability entrepreneurs and campus program innovators to move from idea to action with their regenerative project ideas. This dynamic half-day …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Urban Farming: A Community Engaged Program
- Delta College (MI)
As we sought a source for our campus food waste, we realized the impetus for a new learning series. Delta College was a natural fit for a start-up food hub …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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When School and Community Dance Together: Lessons learned from University and Government collaboration
- Florida International University (FL)
- Nova Southeastern University (FL)
Inspired by a 2014 AASHE presentation, the W. Huizenga Business School of Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University contacted 4-STAR rated Broward County to explore ways to connect the sustainability goals …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Experiential Learning: A Win-Win-Win for Higher Education, Communities, and Sustainability
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- City of Saint Anthony Village (MN)
This panel discussion provides an inspiring and informative overview of how the University of Minnesota's capstone course in its sustainability minor program has successfully built an ongoing and collaborative relationship …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Teaching and Learning Sustainable Chemistry K-16: From Classroom Application and Analysis to Assessment and Refinement
- Colorado State University (CO)
This presentation explores aspects of 'sustainable chemistry.' The research assesses the challenges of 'teaching sustainable chemistry' in K-16 classrooms through an experimental course, CHEM/EDUC580 at Colorado State University with the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Integrating Chemistry and Sustainability Using Guided Inquiry Learning and Project Based Labs
- Stony Brook University (NY)
With support from a National Science Foundation (NSF) Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (TUES) grant and working with three colleagues from Stony Brook University's Sustainability Studies …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Campus Tree Inventory: An Interdisciplinary, Multi-Class, Mega-Lab Project
- Furman University (SC)
Trees provide a number of valuable ecosystem services, including reducing stormwater runoff, increasing air and water quality, storing and sequestering atmospheric carbon, and reducing energy consumption due to direct shading …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Institute for Green and Sustainable Science: An EPA model program in cross-disciplinary sustainability education
- Indiana University Indianapolis (IN)
- Marian University (IN)
The Institute for Green and Sustainable Science (IGSS) is a research, education, and outreach center engaging in the study of sustainability issues, particularly in ecology, green chemistry, and energy science. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Transforming Sustainability Education through Public Art
- University of Virginia (VA)
Public art can powerfully transform sustainability education, though it is typically excluded from comprehensive discussions that include science, technology, or economics. Public art projects are an excellent way for students …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Studies: Not Your Traditional Major or Minor
- Frostburg State University (MD)
Sustainability Studies does not fit well as a traditional academic major. While sustainability studies requires a unique set of skills, experiences, values and perspectives, it will not have the desired …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Living with Our Changing Climate
- American Meteorological Society (DC)
Earth's climate is inherently variable, but is currently changing at rates unprecedented in recent Earth history. Human activity plays a major role in this change and is projected to do …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Incorporating Life Cycle Analysis into Campus Dining
- University of Missouri (MO)
The environmental impacts associated with food production have been well-documented through Life cycle analyses (LCA). LCA of food products have focused largely on individual food items. However, very little work …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Assessing student learning outcomes for sustainability
- University of South Dakota (SD)
Colleges and universities are increasingly developing sustainability majors, minors, certificates, and specializations. Because sustainability is an interdisciplinary area of study and coursework for sustainability programs often draws from multiple disciplines, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making meaningful curricular connections to campus operations and community initiatives
- Carleton College (MN)
Using the campus or the local community as a living lab is a powerful approach to teaching sustainability, providing students the opportunity to better understand environmental issues in their real-world …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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What role can moral agency & collective efficacy play in college-level science education? Defining new territory
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
This proposal will look at the role of moral agency and collective efficacy when thinking about environmental sustainability issues, within college-level science education. We will look at reports from scientists …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Open-Ended Cases for Improving Farm Sustainability
- Dordt College (IA)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
The method of open-ended cases is an ideal format for students when they are analyzing the sustainability of a farm. Students learn about several of methods used for analyzing an …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Geodesign as a collaborative framework for campus-centered sustainability modeling, education and community engagement
- Colorado College (CO)
Geodesign, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based framework, offers the means to assemble multiple place-based perspectives that are foundational to sustainability across the curriculum. We offer the example of an immersive …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Ensnared by the Mouse Trap: Constraints in Sustainable Design
- Daemen University (NY)
Finding sustainable solutions to address today's challenges can be difficult when we are too focused on an existing object or system as a starting point. Students in our Sustainability major …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Collaborative Teaching Approach: Mindful Writing and Drawing to Understand Culture & Place Based Identity
- Colorado Mountain College (CO)
This interactive session focuses on best practices in collaborative teaching and learning, specifically directed at the melding of writing and drawing as processes of discovery in culture and place- based …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Competitive Edge: Student Leadership and Professional Development Through Campus Competition
- California State University, Chico (CA)
- American University (DC)
- Claremont McKenna College (CA)
- GreenerU (MA)
- U.S. Green Building Council (DC)
- Atrius (CA)
For the last five years, Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN), the nation's largest electricity and water reduction competition on college campuses, has engaged hundreds of thousands of students, faculty and staff …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Using Green Chemistry to Introduce and Promote Sustainability in the Chemistry Curriculum and Profession
- St. Olaf College (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- Minnesota Green Chemistry Forum (MN)
- Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NY)
- Beyond Benign (MA)
Through its guiding principles, green chemistry provides a means for introducing topics of sustainability, ethics, and human health and safety into chemistry and related STEM curricula. It is the science …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Plenary: Are we succeeding? 3 Approaches to Assessing Sustainability Education
- Green Mountain College (VT)
- Oakland Community College (MI)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Sustainability educators need to measure the impact of their programs but find few widely accepted methodologies for doing so. Panelists will describe three very different approaches for evaluating sustainability education …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student and Community Transformation: Addressing Civic Responsibility, Sustainability and Values through Engaged Scholarship
- Bard College (NY)
- Oakland Community College (MI)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- Edison Energy (CA)
Civic responsibility and sustainability are often seen as separate issues, yet in practice these concepts intersect and reinforce one another. At the core of this intersection today is our citizens' …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Doctoral Program in Sustainability Education: the Student Experience
- University of Mount Union (OH)
- Prescott College (AZ)
- Willamette University (OR)
Four recent graduates and a current student will describe their individualized approached to the PhD program in sustainability education. This panel discussion will include graduate experiences, descriptions of their individualized …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Global Classroom Experiment. Challenges and Opportunities for International Education for Sustainability
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Sustainability problems need to be addressed by concerned citizens, who are able to (1) critically understand the complexity of the world, (2) take action in appropriate ways to address those …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Illusive Thread: Developing HE Transdisciplinary Sustainability Learning Outcomes
- Colorado College (CO)
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
A sustainable campus and community approach to learning outcomes provides the single richest multi-disciplinary and discipline specific platform for immersing our students and stakeholders in a place-based, living-learning laboratory environment; …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Colorado State University and Coca-Cola Partner to Deliver Hands-on Sustainability Education
- Colorado State University (CO)
- Coca-Cola (GA)
Colorado State University entered into a unique multi-year partnership with Coca-Cola in 2012. This partnership includes extensive hands-on sustainability education for CSU's students from a variety of schools (Agriculture, Engineering, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Aligning sustainability education with the needs of business
- Global Council Science and the Environment (DC)
- International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) (OR)
How is higher education preparing students to be sustainability professionals? What sustainability skills do businesses look for? How can professional certification help businesses, academics and most importantly, the students themselves? …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Undergraduates in a Sustainability Semester: Agency and Structural Change for Sustainability
- Goshen College (IN)
- Michigan State University (MI)
Many Sustainability Education (SE) researchers are interested in understanding how our students envision the mechanisms of social change, and how to help them develop capacity to make the change they …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Global Campus: Linking Student Educational Experiences to Global Realities
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
- SERES (Sacatepequez)
Presentation highlights the collaboration between the University of California, Irvine and SERES, a Central American NGO working on youth sustainability leadership. Their joint effort - manifested through the Global Sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Teaching Sustainability In Place: A Workshop and Field Experience at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities's Cedar Creek Ecosystem Reserve
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- Will Steger Foundation (MN)
Since an understanding of ecology underlies any notion of sustainability, teaching about sustainability means teaching fundamental ecology. Sustainability envisions a system in which humanity and nature are inextricably and forever …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A new classroom environment: Extending sustainability education into living & learning residential communities
- University of Rhode Island (RI)
- NORESCO (NC)
Over the past 8 years, the University of Rhode Island (URI) has been working with the Energy Service Company, NORESCO, to increase energy efficiency for campus buildings. Multiple phases of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Moving Beyond the Generic at Community Colleges: 100 and 200-Level Sustainability Education Courses, e-Badges and Co-Curricular Learning
- Central Community College (NE)
An environmentally sustainable future requires more than sustainability professionals working in sustainability-focused positions. Needed are employees across businesses and organizations capable of implementing, communicating, applying and maintaining environmentally sustainable practices …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Sustainability Seminar: A model for sustainability curriculum connected to the local community
- Macalester College (MN)
In 2014, Macalester College began a new initiative called Educating Sustainability Ambassadors (ESA) with the purpose of infusing sustainability across all the units of campus. The flagship program of ESA …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
AC 1: Academic Courses
- Percentage of courses that are sustainability course offerings
- Percentage of academic departments with sustainability course offerings
- Inventory of sustainability course offerings (upload)
- Website URL - Sustainability course offerings
AC 2: Learning Outcomes
- Description of institution level sustainability learning outcomes
- List of degree programs that require an understanding of the concept of sustainability
- Percentage of students who graduate from programs that require an understanding of sustainability
- Website URL - Sustainability learning outcomes
AC 3: Undergraduate Program
- First sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program
- Second sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program
- Third sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program
- First sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration
- Second sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration
- Third sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration
AC 4: Graduate Program
- First sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- Second sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- Third sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- First sustainability-focused graduate-level minor or concentration
- Second sustainability-focused graduate-level minor or concentration
- Third sustainability-focused graduate-level minor or concentration
AC 5: Immersive Experience
- Description of the sustainability-focused immersive program(s)
- Second sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
- Third sustainability-focused graduate-level degree program
AC 6: Sustainability Literacy Assessment
- Copy of the sustainability literacy assessment (upload)
- Copy of the sustainability literacy assessment (description)
- Website URL - Assessment of sustainability literacy
AC 7: Incentives for Developing Courses
- Description of the course development incentives
- Website URL - Incentives for developing sustainability courses
AC 8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.