Office of Sustainability Sustainability Across the Curriculum
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Curriculum and Education Resources Incorporating AU Campus Sustainability into the Classroom
In collaboration with the Center for Teaching, Research & Learning, the Office of Sustainability created a campus sustainability lesson plan that instructors can use in the classroom. This lesson plan includes a narrated ,Ìý, multiple activities, discussion questions, and resources to help instructors incorporate aspects of campus sustainability into their courses. The activities in the lesson plan can be assigned to students during a class period when the instructor will or will not be present.
Faculty can also request campus sustainabilityÌý´Ç°ùÌýArboretum tours, use data from , real time energy use,ÌýLEED case studies, or the annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Faculty are also welcome to partner with the office on special projects which may include work on current sustainability initiatives or research for future projects. Please contact the office in advance to determine a timeline to ensure office staff availability.
Workshops
Sustainability workshops are regularly offered during the Ann Ferren Conference and August Faculty Workshops. Recordings of past sessions are available through the CTRL website.ÌýÂ
Ongoing Conversations are hosted by the Office of Sustainability for faculty to share best practices or request feedback. All faculty are welcome whether you have been teaching about sustainability for years or are just starting to consider how you might add it to a class you teach.Ìý
Schedule: June 18, 2024, 11:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m. virtual. Please email sustainability@american.edu to RSVP and request the Zoom link.
Lesson Plan
In collaboration with the Center for Teaching, Research & Learning, the Office of Sustainability created a campus sustainability lesson plan that instructors can use in the classroom. This lesson plan includes a narrated , , multiple activities, discussion questions, and resources to help instructors incorporate aspects of campus sustainability into their courses. The activities in the lesson plan can be assigned to students during a class period when the instructor will or will not be present.Ìý
Campus as a Living Laboratory
Instructors can request campus sustainability o°ù Arboretum tours, use data from , real time energy use, LEED case studies, or the annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Faculty are also welcome to partner with the office on special projects which may include work on current sustainability initiatives or research for future projects. Please contact the office in advance to determine a timeline to ensure office staff availability.Ìý
Green Teacher Program
Apply to be certified as a Green Teacher through the Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning.Ìý
External Resources
U.S. Green Building Council
USGBC offers a number of resources that are designed for . All instructors, staff, and students have access to American University’s institutional subscription to the  (USGBC). This subscription provides many resources, lesson plans, presentations, and case studies related to green buildings and sustainability.Ìý
To access USGBC Reources:Â
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 using your american.edu email address.Ìý
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Within your account settings, you will see an option to connect your account with an institutional account. Connect to American University.Ìý
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher EducationÂ
All faculty members, staff, and students have access to  (AASHE) through AU’s campus membership.Ìý
To access AASHE materials:Â
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Create an  using your American email address.Ìý
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Explore curriculum ideas, case studies, mentorship programs, and more.Ìý