An Interdisciplinary Approach to Promote Innovation and Creativity in the Field of Sustainability

Abstract

To create a transformative connection among science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, Southern University (SU) uses an interdisciplinary approach to promote innovation and creativity in the field of sustainability. An undergraduate concentration in sustainability has been developed and the Bachelor Degree in Sustainability is expected to be completed and approved by the fall 2015 term. The Sustainability Research Experience in China program was created and implemented since the summer semesters 2011. The program provided undergraduate students and their faculty mentors the opportunity to obtain a global perspective on sustainability research in the areas of sustainable materials, energy, technology, climate change, ecosystem and natural resources. SU has reviewed the current institutional internationalization activities and developed a set of global learning and engagement goals and objectives. SU has formed an internationalization leadership team suited to accomplishment of the institutional goals. In respond to the Louisiana Workforce Investment for a Stronger Economy (WISE), SU has developed a SU WISE that appropriately linked the teaching and learning to positively impact the workforce development. The SU WISE includes a Center for Smart Composite Materials Modeling and Manufacturing, and a Bioenergy Research and Development Platform. The SU WISE integrates academics, research, and business partnering in a more functional manner with overall objectives that promote greater faculty and student experiential engagement and greater economic development. Through these teaching and learning innovations, SU enhanced the curricular and promoted sustainability teaching and learning, broadened international engagement in education and research, advanced internationalization, and contributed to STEM workforce development.

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Author Information
Zhu H. Ning, Southern University, USA
Michael Stubblefield, Southern University, USA
VerJanis A. Peoples, Southern University, USA
Patrick Mensah, Southern University, USA
Kamran Abdollahi, Southern University, USA

• Category: Education for sustainable development

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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