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Sophie Ebsary

This course will provide teachers with an understanding of how to incorporate sustainability topics into their existing STEM curriculum. Each module will feature engaging activities on a limited budget so as to be accessible for every classroom. Each activity uses an inquiry lens to allow students to focus on aspects of sustainability that are important to them and to build student agency and ownership around these topics.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Develop a deeper understanding of what sustainability is,
  • Be able to provide and recognize sustainable solutions to real-world problems,
  • Create connections between stem and sustainability,
  • Build connections between sustainability and other curricular areas including first people's principles of learning, and british columbia's core competencies
  • Gain strategies for evaluating sustainability activities,
  • Be able to incorporate sustainable practices in the classroom without making drastic changes to your existing teaching practices.
  • By the end of this course you will...
  • In addition to the above course learning objectives, you may wish to set additional goals for yourself. we encourage you to do this and to consistently check in on these goals in each module to ensure you are staying on track with your individual learning objectives!

Syllabus

Module 1: What is Sustainability?
Defining Sustainability
First Peoples' Principles
Activity: SEL & Sustainability
Read more
Resources
Module 2: Exploring Sustainable Solutions
Topics of Environmental Sustainability
Engineers & Scientists Role in Environmental Sustainability
Spheres of Influence
Module 3: Sustainable City Planning
Sustainable City Planning
Lesson Plan
Community Mapping Activity
Module 4: Short and Impactful Sustainability Activities
Discussion: Sustainability in Your Classroom

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides strategies for evaluating sustainability activities
Develops connections between sustainability and other curricular areas
Provides engaging activities accessible for every classroom
Creates connections between STEM and sustainability
Develops understanding of what sustainability is
Provides opportunities for students to focus on sustainability aspects important to them
Provides sustainable solutions to real-world problems
Builds student agency and ownership around sustainability topics
Incorporates sustainability practices without drastic changes to teaching practices
Uses an inquiry lens to allow students to focus on aspects of sustainability important to them

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in STEM & Sustainability with these activities:
Review the concept of sustainability
Reinforce your understanding of the key principles and dimensions of sustainability, including environmental, social, and economic aspects.
Browse courses on Sustainability
Show steps
  • Review your notes
  • Read an article or book on sustainability
  • Watch a video on sustainability
Volunteer for a local environmental organization
Gain practical experience and contribute to your community by participating in cleanups, tree planting events, or other sustainability initiatives.
Show steps
  • Find a volunteer opportunity
  • Sign up and participate
  • Reflect on your experience
Create a sustainability resource folder
Organize and keep track of materials related to sustainability, including lesson plans, articles, videos, and websites, for easy access and future reference.
Show steps
  • Gather resources
  • Organize the materials into folders
  • Review the materials
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Read 'Sustainability for All' by Ed Barbier
Gain insights on the global challenges and opportunities of sustainability, exploring economic, social, and environmental perspectives.
Show steps
  • Read the book
  • Summarize key concepts
  • Reflect on its implications for education
  • Identify potential applications in your classroom
Explore the Sustainability Education Hub
Access resources, lesson plans, and professional development opportunities to enhance your understanding of sustainability education.
Show steps
  • Visit the website
  • Review the resources
  • Attend a workshop
Attend a workshop on sustainable practices in education
Engage with experts and practitioners to learn about innovative approaches to integrating sustainability into the curriculum and school operations.
Show steps
  • Find a workshop
  • Register and attend
  • Implement what you learn
Develop a sustainability action plan
Create a comprehensive plan that outlines specific actions you can take to incorporate sustainable practices into your classroom.
Show steps
  • Identify areas for improvement
  • Research best practices
  • Develop a plan of action
  • Implement your plan
  • Monitor and evaluate your progress
Design a sustainable lesson plan
Develop a lesson plan that integrates sustainability principles into a specific subject area, incorporating inquiry-based learning and student agency.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic
  • Develop learning objectives
  • Design activities
  • Create assessment materials
Initiate a student-led sustainability project
Empower students to take ownership of sustainability initiatives within the school or community, providing hands-on experience and fostering environmental stewardship.
Browse courses on Student Agency
Show steps
  • Identify a need
  • Develop a plan
  • Secure resources
  • Implement the project
  • Evaluate the impact

Career center

Learners who complete STEM & Sustainability will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Sustainability Consultant
In this course, you will explore different components of sustainability, such as environmental sustainability, and how to create sustainable solutions. With this background, you will be better equipped to consult for businesses in creating more sustainable practices.
Environmental Engineer
Take this course to explore different environmental sustainability topics so that you can apply principles of environmental sustainability to design solutions.
Environmental Scientist
This course explores different topics related to sustainability. Utilize this course to help you understand the how scientists work on environmental sustainability and the role they play.
Sustainability Manager
This course will provide a foundation in different aspects of sustainability. As a sustainability manager, you can use the knowledge gained through the course to help your organization improve sustainability and reduce its environmental impact.
Science Teacher
This course will equip you with activities and pedagogical strategies to teach STEM and sustainability. As a science teacher, you can use these to provide hands-on learning for your students and help them develop a passion for sustainability.
Curriculum Developer
Take this course to learn how to connect sustainability to STEM and other curricular areas. This will help you develop curricula that equip students with the knowledge and skills to address sustainability challenges.
Policy Analyst
This course will help you gain a deeper understanding of sustainability and how to provide sustainable solutions. This knowledge will help you in analyzing and developing policies that promote sustainability.
Sustainability Analyst
Take this course to learn about the principles of sustainability and how to evaluate sustainability activities. This will enable you to assess the environmental and social impact of projects and make recommendations for improvement.
Researcher
This course explores different aspects of sustainability and how to create sustainable solutions. This course can help you build a foundation in sustainability and may be helpful for those interested in conducting research on sustainability-related topics.
Science Writer
Take this course to learn how to convey complex scientific concepts related to sustainability in a clear and engaging way. This will help you communicate the importance of sustainability to a wider audience.
Science Communicator
Take this course to learn how to communicate complex scientific concepts related to sustainability in a clear and concise way. As a science communicator, you can use this course to inform the public about the importance of sustainability and inspire action.
Environmental Educator
Take this course to learn about environmental sustainability and how to incorporate sustainability topics into curricula and activities. You can use this knowledge to create educational programs and resources that teach people about sustainability.
Journalist
This course can help you develop your understanding of sustainability and how to provide sustainable solutions, which you can use to write insightful articles on environmental issues.
Activist
Take this course to learn about the principles of sustainability and how to create sustainable solutions. This knowledge may be useful for developing and implementing strategies for advocating for sustainability and raising awareness about environmental issues.
Urban Planner
This course will introduce you to sustainable city planning and provide you with activities and strategies for evaluating sustainability activities. As an urban planner, you can use this to create sustainable and resilient communities.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in STEM & Sustainability.
This report from the World Commission on Environment and Development foundational text in the field of sustainable development.
This report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change provides a comprehensive overview of the science of climate change.
Provides a systems approach to understanding sustainability. It would be a valuable resource for teachers who are looking to develop a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between environmental, social, and economic systems.
Provides a classic analysis of the limits to growth on a finite planet. It would be a valuable resource for teachers who are looking to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges of sustainability.
This report from the World Economic Forum provides insights into the future of sustainability and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
This article from Harvard Business Review explores the role of business in promoting sustainability.
Provides a theoretical and practical guide to environmental education. It would be a valuable resource for teachers looking to develop a deeper understanding of sustainability and how to incorporate it into their teaching.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of research on science education. It includes a chapter on sustainability education. is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions and provides a good overview of the research on science education.

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