Abstract: Higher education institutions are venues for critical thinking and offer prime opportunities for inter-disciplinary learning. As sustainability science curricula programs are on the rise, institutions of higher education are well suited to assume leadership roles in providing critical knowledge, understanding, appreciation, and awareness for in the advancement of our societal, economic, and environmental responsibilities. Participants will learn and brainstorm ways of integrating sustainability, specifically, behavior change principles, into University curricula. Presenters include leaders of sustainability curricula at their home institutions, each sharing key variables of success and common barriers experienced in program development and growth, including how specific barriers can be managed. Ideas of coursework, readings, practica, funding, research, and community engagement to support necessary inter-disciplinary cooperation will be explored. Resources, including sample syllabi, campus examples, curriculum models, course ideas, etc., will be shared. Participants are asked to bring a syllabus (or curriculum ideas) and will work in small groups to brainstorm specific ideas relevant to their institutions. Presenters will facilitate specific curricula plan development, barriers, and ways of facilitating progress and results of the brainstorming session will be discussed. Outcomes of the session include: 1) exploration of key factors of success stories and benefits of blended course content, 2) discussion of common or anticipated barriers and ways to effectively manage those barriers, and 3) fostering a collaborative network of interested parties for future discussion, information sharing, and ongoing support.
Conference attendees who plan to participate in this breakout session are asked to add this event to their personal schedules (below) to help with discussion planning.
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