2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Advancing Sustainability in Civil Engineering Technology through the Engineering for One Planet Framework

As global environmental challenges intensify, integrating sustainability into engineering technology education is increasingly critical. Yet, many programs lack comprehensive methods to embed sustainability principles, leaving graduates underprepared to address real-world environmental issues. Courses on sustainability often approach it in isolated or superficial contexts, unable to capture its complexity. The purpose of this study is to showcase one approach for embedding the Engineering for One Planet (EOP) framework into the Sustainable Building Practices course within the Civil Engineering Technology Department. The newly developed curriculum integrated learning outcomes from three EOP topics: Environmental Impact Assessment, Materials Selection, and Systems Thinking. Students were trained to conduct environmental assessments, select sustainable materials based on life-cycle impacts, and design buildings that align with ecological and social systems to promote durability, net-zero emissions, all with the intention to minimize harm. The new curriculum’s effectiveness was assessed through a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative retrospective surveys and qualitative photo-voice assignments. Quantitative results from retrospective surveys show significant improvement in learning outcomes across these topics, with Likert scores increasing notably after the course. Qualitative analysis of photo-voice assignments, informed by the How Learning Works framework, revealed three themes: Recognizing Value, where students highlighted the role of sustainability in reducing environmental and cultural impacts; Supportive Environment, which emphasized the importance of sustainable materials for safety, efficiency, and workflow; and Student Efficacy, demonstrating students’ ability to apply the learning outcomes. These results indicate that embedding sustainability into engineering curricula through the EOP framework fosters a deep understanding of environmental systems, improves decision-making, and enhances students' readiness to address real-world challenges. This approach offers a replicable model for integrating sustainability into engineering education to prepare future engineers for complex environmental issues.

Authors

Dr. Dalya Ismael Old Dominion University [biography]

Dr. Dalya Ismael holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Virginia Tech. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering Technology (CET) in the Department of Engineering Technology at Old Dominion University, where her research focuses on encouraging sustainable design and construction practices through behavioral interventions and visualization techniques. Dr. Ismael has over ten years of teaching and industry experience and is a LEED Green Associate and an Envision Specialist.
Dr. Vukica M. Jovanovic http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8626-903X Old Dominion University [biography]

Dr. Vukica Jovanović is a Chair of the Department of Engineering Technology and Full Professor and Batten Endowed Fellow. Dr. Jovanović has published extensively on topics related to engineering pathways, broadening participation in STEM of underrepresented faculty and students, digital thread, digital manufacturing, mechatronics, assembly systems and industrial robotics. She has more than 160 peer-reviewed publications. She has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator on numerous federally funded grants (with around $6 million directly coming to ODU), many of which have resulted in programming designed to serve underrepresented students in Norfolk Public Schools. She has funded research in engineering technology pathways from National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research and Hampton Roads Workforce Development Board, all focusing on future cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing careers.
Dr. Murat Kuzlu http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-8719-2353 Old Dominion University [biography]

Murat Kuzlu joined the Engineering Technology Department at Old Dominion University (ODU) as an Assistant Professor in 2018. He received his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from Kocaeli University, Turkey,
Charles Lowe Old Dominion University
Dr. Lisa Bosman Purdue University [biography]

Dr. Bosman holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering. Her engineering education research interests include entrepreneurially minded learning, energy education, interdisciplinary education, and faculty professional development.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025