Broadening Sustainability Education in Engineering Disciplines
- Conference
- Location
-
Portland, Oregon
- Publication Date
-
June 23, 2024
- Start Date
-
June 23, 2024
- End Date
-
July 12, 2024
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
-
Chemical Engineering Division (ChED)
- Permanent URL
-
https://strategy.asee.org/48421
Paper Authors
David R. Wagner
The University of Utah
orcid.org/0000-0001-5074-4233
David Wagner is a senior scientist and instructor of process design in the Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Utah. His current research focus is on advancing gasification of waste feedstocks and biomass for hydrogen production. Previously, he was an assistant professor at San Jose State University with a focus on engineering education and sustainability. He started the Sustainable Engineering minor program and the associated course, Sustainable Engineering. In addition, he was one of three faculty members to construct and launch a new honors program at the university level to broaden participation in honors-related studies, specifically addressing concepts of sustainability.
Anthony Butterfield The University of Utah
Anthony Butterfield is a Professor (Lecturing) in the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Utah. He received his B. S. and Ph. D. from the University of Utah and a M. S. from the University of California, San Diego.
Abstract
This project integrates the Engineering for One Planet (EOP) Framework in 19 courses under 10 faculty members within four engineering departments to positively impact approximately 850 students. The courses range from first-year to graduate-level. Lateral expansion of the framework extends to non-current engineering departments and vertically expands to the university's Sustainability Office. We will measure the impact of EOP/sustainability instruction and freely disseminate all developed materials and findings via multiple mechanisms, particularly a companion website. Researchers have shown that the delivery methods of teaching sustainability varied among their survey respondents and interviewees. The proposed delivery methods are to integrate concepts of sustainability into existing core and elective courses, but also to provide routes for students to focus on sustainability. This is accomplished via project-based learning with and without external advisors, instituting engineering degree emphases and programs in sustainability, and showcasing our successes with the Sustainability Office and university faculty for future expansion. The EOP Initiative and Framework have already provided an excellent foundation we intend to use for assessment. A matrix has been constructed to track the implementation of these outcomes in project courses. This matrix will also aid ABET accreditation efforts and incorporate global considerations via the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Making these connections will allow students to see the global significance of their education and decisions. Additional discussion of results and outcomes will be included as they pertain to faculty and administration. The success of early decision-making will be highlighted relative to student learning outcomes and the advancement of program outcomes.
Wagner, D. R., & Butterfield, A. (2024, June), Broadening Sustainability Education in Engineering Disciplines Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://strategy.asee.org/48421
ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2024 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015