2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Engineering practices that promote a sustainable development are gaining momentum and relevance amongst governments and corporations as they adapt their policies and business strategies to prepare for the environmental challenges of the future. Within this context, there will be a growing interest in the formation of engineers who understand the importance of sustainability and that are capable of driving engineering projects towards sustainable development. Multiple industries will require engineers who can effectively apply these concepts in the formulation of engineering solutions.

We propose that the practice of sustainability in the engineering classroom can be facilitated and enhanced by the creation of hands-on experimental experiences that allow students to propose efficient solutions to environmental problems.

In this work-in-progress, we detail our initial steps towards the utilization of a senior chemical engineering laboratory to incorporate hands-on sustainability experiences in the engineering curriculum. To develop this project, we are using an approach that blends undergraduate research, interdepartmental collaborations, and a focus on experiential learning. We are collaborating with the university Green Fund and the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) department to recycle materials, reach the campus community, and understand the environmental and economic impacts of the study. The overall purpose of the project is to serve as a catalyst to incorporate sustainability to the chemical engineering undergraduate laboratories, create campus awareness on the importance of a sustainable future, and, by these efforts, train the sustainability leaders of the future. The main educational benefits produced by this project will be the opportunities students will have to work on projects directly related to sustainability and the incorporation of sustainability practices in our undergraduate program.

This manuscript describes a summary of the project development, a detail of project goals and current advances, and an outline of our research objectives as we integrate the practice of sustainability into the chemical engineering program.