Project Goals/Deliverables
Enhance campus-wide coordination for sustainable curriculum collaborations
Increase interest and commitment to sustainability/climate integration in the undergraduate curriculum
Create a flexible framework to support departmental reflection and planning
Develop supportive resources for implementation
Project Team
Laura Deakin, Continuing Lecturer (Chemistry) | Associate Dean of Science, Student Relations (Faculty of Science)
Mathew Thijssen, Director (Sustainability Office)
Johanna Wandel, Associate Professor (Geography and Environmental Management) | Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies (Faculty of Environment)
Project Timeline
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2022
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Sep
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Project approved for (Beta) Teaching Innovation Incubator
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Sep
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2023
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Jan
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Project plan developed
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Mar
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Sustainability Curriculum Specialist hired
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Preliminary course analysis on sustainability conducted
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Apr
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Working group members recruited
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May
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Working group meetings began
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Jun
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Peer scan of U15 schools and peer leaders completed
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Draft framework and toolkit design began
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Developed first draft of sustainability integration framework
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Jul
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Working Group members consulted on the framework
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Aug
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Literature review of best practices and theory in the field
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Oct
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Consultations with students and academic support units
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Widespread consultations on campus with chairs and associate chairs
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Jan
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2024
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Mar
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Finalized initial toolkit and resource materials
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Drafted report with recommendations for implementation
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Toolkit website UX testing with CEL support
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Mar
Project Summary
No career is likely to be unaffected by climate change and sustainability considerations. Our graduates need core competencies and discipline specific knowledge of climate change and sustainability if they are to be global citizens prepared to thrive in an age of rapid change.
This project will aim to consider how curriculum offerings could be adapted to allow all students to develop foundational and discipline specific sustainability competencies. Our goals are to create opportunities for collaboration, interdisciplinary work, and shared resources by reaching out to faculty, staff and students to better understand the range of supports programs may need to build these student competencies.
Project Updates
Integrating Sustainability into the Curriculum Project Shortlisted: QS Reimagine Sustainability Literacy Award
The Teaching Innovation Incubator is proud to announce that Integrating Sustainability into the Curriculum project was shortlisted for the 2024 QS Reimagine Education Rewards.
New! Sustainability in the Curriculum Community of Practice
The Teaching Innovation Incubator is excited to announce its support of the newly launched Sustainability in the Curriculum Community of Practice.
This Community of Practice is open to all faculty, instructors, and support staff who are interested in sustainability integration work. The first session will take place on November 27, 2024 from 1:00-2:30pm in EIT 3142. Registration is required.
Come out and bring a friend! All are welcome.
New Opportunity Available: Sustainability Integration in the Curriculum (SIC) Grants
The Teaching Innovation Incubator is excited to announce its support of a new pilot funding program opportunity by the Sustainability Office. This program, the Sustainability Integration in the Curriculum (SIC) Grant is a new funding program for academic departments to deepen integration of sustainability within any undergrad program of study.
The new Sustainability Integration in Curriculum (SIC) grants are intended to catalyze efforts that draw connections between major sustainability challenges and the skills, experiences, and competencies students can leverage through their discipline to support a more sustainable future.
The grants can be for up to $7,500 each and can cover a wide range of activities that a department could implement to further their sustainability integration efforts, including research, workshops, supplies and materials, student incentives, and more. Applications are due by November 1 and will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary team of faculty and educational developers.
Working Group Members
Christine Barbeau, Lecturer (School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability) | Associate Dean, Teaching (Faculty of Environment) | Teaching Fellow (Faculty of Environment)
Julia Burke, Liaison, Faculty of Environment; Accounting & Finance; Political Science; Economics (Centre for Teaching Excellence)
David Ha, Co-Director (Master of Accounting)
Frances Hallen, Student
Nadine Ibrahim, Lecturer (Civil and Environmental Engineering) | Turkstra Chair in Urban Engineering
Shabnam Ivkovic, Director, International Strategic Initiatives (HIRE Waterloo)
Ceileigh McAllister, Student
Maya Morton Ninomiya, Student
Kirsten Müller, Professor & Chair (Biology)
Derek Rayside, Associate Professor (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Michael Waite, Professor (Applied Mathematics)
Diane Williams, Continuing Lecturer (School of Public Health Sciences) | Associate Director, Undergraduate Studies