Interdisciplinary (99) The Engaged Interdisciplinary Learning in Sustainability (EILS) project is designed to integrate new pedagogies, analytical skills and applied techniques to daily activities and practices critical to sustainability in the context of higher education. The project involves close interdisciplinary collaboration between faculty from engineering and social sciences, through creation and delivery of a series of courses, labs, teaching methods and materials in sustainability engineering and ecological design. EILS seeks to develop the field of "Sustainability Science and Sustainability Studies" (S4) and formalize it as a new intedisciplinary field. S4 is critical to a successful transition to a Nation and world that effectively and equitably protects the planet's environment and ecology. The project's approach to S4 rests on the interdisciplinary integration of technical-scientific and social science fields of inquiry, taking as its focus research into and teaching about the engineering, scientific and social science elements of current and future policy and practice. The project applies new pedagogical approaches in courses, laboratory exercises, internships, workshops and careful assessment of instructor and student achievements. The project includes elements of STEM education, cyberlearning, and technological and social literacy elements, directed toward education of skilled professionals. This curriculum includes interactive laboratories in renewable energy systems, water resources, ecological footprint, sustainable agriculture, urban design, and life-cycle analysis which are accessible to students with diverse backgrounds. Most courses will include a service learning project for students with different disciplines to work together. This provides the opportunity to learn about engineering design and real life social implementation issues. Course and co-curricular materials are supplemented by detailed instructor manuals with emphasis on learner-centered pedagogy supported by formative and peer assessment strategies and a Handbook for Sustainability Engineering and Ecological Design.

Project Report

This grant allowed us to enhance Engaged Interdisciplinary Learning for Sustainability (EILS) at Cabrillo College and to share what we learned from this process with other institutions. We accomplished objectives in areas of curriculum, collaboration, content and communication. We developed new lesson plans and assignments, and made these and other curriculum materials available to the public on CabrilloGreenSteps.org. Relevant EILS content developed at University of California, Santa Cruz was deployed, modified and assessed in Cabrillo College classes. We strengthened interdisciplinary connections within Cabrillo by providing faculty development workshops and establishing a Sustainable Curriculum Working Group. These were excellent venues for discussions with faculty from Anthropology, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Engineering, English, Geography, Health Sciences, Horticulture, Mathematics, Physics, Sociology, Theater Arts and other departments. These interdisciplinary conversations led us to pragmatic and innovative approaches for incorporating EILS concepts to enhance student success in a wide array of existing classes at Cabrillo College. We also enhanced collaboration between Cabrillo and other local institutions by joining and hosting regional workshops and meetings. Along with our colleagues in an emerging regional sustainability curriculum consortium, we facilitated a workshop at the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference, disseminating our EILS ideas and approaches to others from around the state. Our 'grassroots efforts to develop sustainable elements within existing curriculum' and related initiatives, including activities associated with this grant, were described in the California Community Colleges Sustainability Plan Template ('Best Practices: CABRILLO COLLEGE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN LEADERSHIP AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS', p.85, http://extranet.cccco.edu/Portals/1/CFFP/Sustainability/CCCStnbltyPlanTemplateFiles/California_Community_Colleges_Sustainability_Template_FINAL_v3_PDF.pdf). Dr. Merrill presented some information about this project in a panel called 'Education in Action: Leveraging Higher Education for Sustainability' at the international Bioneers conference in October 2011. Engaged Interdisciplinary Learning in Sustainability has profound implications for our world. We believe and expect that EILS experiences will improve students' comprehension, decision-making skills and participation in addressing sustainability concerns in their future. More than a thousand Cabrillo College students have had the opportunity to work with EILS content and the faculty who participated in our workshops, conversations or curriculum development projects, and it is likely that thousands more will in coming years. Preliminary results from some classes indicate an improved understanding of the breadth and interdisciplinary nature of sustainability issues among students who have participated in EILS activities. This grant helped to educate Cabrillo College faculty, so that we can empower and inspire our students to actively respond to the complex, vast and interconnected challenges in sustainability. The EILS grant has also played a role in bringing sustainability education and the need for action to the attention of our campus community.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
1023043
Program Officer
Herbert H. Richtol
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2010-10-01
Budget End
2013-09-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$33,987
Indirect Cost
Name
Cabrillo College
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Aptos
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95003