1. Building for the Future: Incorporating Sustainability into University Curricula Jack Luskin, Ph.D. Toxics Use Reduction Institute Program for the Practice of Sustainability University of Massachusetts Lowell www.turi.org

2. Why Bother??? The students of today will be the decision makers of tomorrow. Developing within students a conceptual basis of sustainability, and the ability to practice sustainability is critical for our future.

3. Issues of integrating sustainability into curricula Separate courses on sustainability, or infusing it into all courses Making it relevant to students Passive vs. active learning Developing appropriate activities Empowering students to promote sustainability

4. Sustainability Academic Content Information Technologies Project Components

5. Rationale Engagement Theory (Schneiderman & Kearsley, 1998) Technology as a perfect catalyst that encourages deeper learning during concentrated student interaction with the content through an authentic collaborative, technology-based group project - with an external, “real world” focus, in this case, the community. Learning by doing

6. Sample Classes News Writing Writing Traditional all writing class Audio CollectionVideo Production

7. Sample Classes (continued) Management Development Identifying Opportunities Traditional development course Developing Proposals Selling with Video

8. Other courses Public Health Policy (Dept. of Community Health and Sustainability) Environmental Economics (Economics Dept)

9. Fall Semester 2006 Interdisciplinary Course Course product – 30 minute video on toxics in household products to be shown on cable television. Locally then nationally. Independent study – from five disciplines: o Communications o Art o Health o Music/Sound Recording o Management

10. Sample Video Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust

11. Faculty and Student Interviews Faculty Interview Student Interview