Integrating STEM and Sustainability in a College-wide Core Curriculum Debbie Dalrymple, Professor Nursing Sam Wallace, Assistant Professor Geography

Introductions & Agenda Introductions Sustainability and the Core –Deciding what sustainability is –Fitting STEM and Sustainability into the core general education requirements Happenings on campus as a result Questions and Discussion

The Core –Written & Oral Communication –Analytic Skills –Quantitative Skills –Computer Fluency –Information Literacy –Intellectual Heritage –Aesthetic Sensibility 13 + Goals –Physical & Life Sciences –Behavioral & Social Science –Exercise & Health Science –Civic Responsibility –Global Perspective –Ethical Reasoning

The President’s Council American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment President’s Climate Commitment Advisory CouncilPresident’s Climate Commitment Advisory Council Commitment to Sustainability

The First Discussion What exactly is sustainability? –Initially definition primarily environmental focus A mandate, but how did it fit with the other goals? –Does it need its own? –Can it fit somewhere?

The Curriculum Committee How to include sustainability –Independent Goal –Goal 12 Recommendation Sensitivity to Global Perspectives and Cultural &Social Diversity and Sustainability –12-1: Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of human diversity and the individual, social, economic and global forces that shape it –12-2: Demonstrate an appreciation for sustainability and diverse cultural and social perspectives.

Civic Responsibility –Goal 11: Civic Responsibility Demonstrates self discipline, perseverance, and cooperation in the pursuit of personal success and positive civic engagement. 11-1: Demonstrate an ability to work with others to achieve a common goal. 11-2: Demonstrate personal engagement in civic life 11-3: Understand the importance of personal engagement in civic life and sustainability efforts.

Outcome 11-4 (new): Explore the cultural and environmental impacts of human society on the non-human world and on the ability of future generations to achieve their goals, as well as the motives of societal sustainability efforts. Outcome 11-4: Explore the cultural and environmental impacts of human society on the non-human world and better ensure societal sustainability....and as revised and immediately approved by Curriculum Committee in early December

Outcome 11-4: Analyze the cultural or environmental impact of human society on the non-human world or on future generations to better ensure sustainability. …but somewhere along the way, changed to: What a difference a word can make.

Making the Case Fitting Core Goals in all programs –Quantitative versus Physical/Life Science –Individual Courses –Threading Course Combination (ECO 121 and 122) Course and program activities

Sustainability Course re-design New Courses Academic Programs –Drinking Water Operator Certification –Wastewater Operator Certification –Environmental Science

BIO 115 Environmental Biology Jerry Coleman Assistant Professor Biology mc3.edu

GLG 125, The Science of Climate Change NASA grant Rob Kuhlman Professor Geology mc3.edu

POL 101 Intro to Political Science POL 124 American National Government –Voter Registration Project Jodi Empol- Schwartz Assistant Professor Political Science mc3.edu

Sustainability Brochure Jill Beccaris- Pescatore Assistant Professor Economics mc3.edu

ECO 117 Introduction to Environmental Economics –Service Learning Project –Research

GEO 235 Sustainable Climate Communities Sam Wallace Assistant Professor Geography mc3.edu

New Courses to Fill Gaps civic responsibility diversity ethics Grinding the issue of changing climates through the College’s need for a course that fulfills values goals

Thank you. Discussion and Questions – –