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 video, interactive map, 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 sustainability or Arboretum tours, use data from STARS, 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.

Sustainability workshops are regularly offered during the Ann Ferren Conference and August Faculty Workshops. Recordings of past sessions are available through the CTRL website.  

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. 

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.

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 video, interactive map, 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. 

Instructors can request campus sustainability or Arboretum tours, use data from STARS, 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. 

U.S. Green Building Council

USGBC offers a number of resources that are designed for higher education. All instructors, staff, and students have access to American University’s institutional subscription to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This subscription provides many resources, lesson plans, presentations, and case studies related to green buildings and sustainability. 

To access USGBC Reources: 

  • Create an account through the USGBC website using your american.edu email address. 

  • Within your account settings, you will see an option to connect your account with an institutional account. Connect to American University. 

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education 

All faculty members, staff, and students have access to resources from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) through AU’s campus membership. 

To access AASHE materials: 

  • Create an account using your American email address. 

  • Explore curriculum ideas, case studies, mentorship programs, and more.