2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Sustainability in the Classroom: Using Real-World Anaerobic Digestion Data to Drive Place-based, Project-based STEM Teaching and Learning

This work-in-progress paper presents the development and initial classroom implementation of an interactive dashboard that transforms real-time anaerobic digestion (AD) data into classroom-ready visualizations for K-12 STEM education. Anaerobic digestion is a complex engineering process that converts organic waste into renewable biogas, yet its use as a data-rich instructional context remains limited. The dashboard is part of a multiphase project integrating sensor data pre-processing, teacher professional development, and collaborative lesson co-design. Initial classroom implementation included a digester site visit and dashboard-based activities in which 5th grade students analyzed real data on food waste and biogas production. Teacher feedback and classroom observations indicate strong student engagement, with learners generating questions, making comparisons, and reflecting on sustainability and engineering systems. Workshop feedback also informed improvements to data processing, enhancing the reliability and interpretability of dashboard data while preserving real-world variability. Co-developed lessons demonstrate how real-world engineering data can support data literacy, systems thinking, and sustainability learning across K-12 grade levels.

Authors

Miss Nomagugu Tanyangadzei Ndlovu CStat Clarkson University [biography]

Nomagugu T. Ndlovu is a Chartered Statistician (CStat) pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Science at Clarkson University, where she also serves as a Research Assistant in the Environmental Engineering Department for an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Research team. Her work centers on developing automated data pipelines, data cleaning strategies, and interactive visualizations that support Clarkson’s AD food waste-to-energy project. She played a lead role in designing and implementing the Power BI dashboard highlighted in this paper, which translates complex engineering sensor data into user-friendly visuals for teaching and outreach.

Her research interests lie at the intersection of sustainability, data science, and education. She has contributed to K–12 STEM engagement through professional development workshops for teachers, where real-time AD data is used to design lesson modules on environmental science, mathematics, and data literacy. As a Chartered Statistician, she is committed to advancing rigorous, data-driven approaches to renewable energy systems and community-centered learning.
Dr. Jan DeWaters P.E. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0435-5971 Clarkson University [biography]

Dr. Jan DeWaters is an Associate Professor in the Institute for STEM Education with a joint appointment in the School of Engineering at Clarkson University, and teaches classes in both areas. Her research focuses on developing and assessing effective, inclusive teaching and learning in a variety of settings. An environmental engineer by training, Dr. DeWaters’ work typically integrates environmental topics such as energy and climate into STEM settings.
Prof. Stefan J. Grimberg P.E. Clarkson University [biography]

Stefan J. Grimberg completed his PhD in 1995 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since that time he has been a faculty member of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Clarkson University. He received his Diplom in Ch
Mrs. Claire LePage Brasher Falls Central School District [biography]

Claire LePage is a 5th grade science teacher at Brasher Falls Central School District. She specializes in creating hands‑on, inquiry‑based learning experiences that spark curiosity and confidence in young scientists. Her work focuses on building strong foundations in scientific thinking and fostering a love of exploration in her students.
Mycroft Jaeger Clarkson University [biography]

Mycroft teaches Biology and Conservation at St. Lawrence Central High School in Brasher Falls, NY. He is a NYS Master Teacher Emeritus, FFA Chapter Advisor, and dragonfly enthusiast. He completed his Undergraduate work at SUNY Potsdam, and his graduate work in secondary education and Biology at SUNY New Paltz. His work on developing a genus level DNA Fingerprinting protocol for Snaketail dragonflies failed spectacularly; a point he never fails to emphasize to his students when an opportunity to learn from failure arises

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

For those interested in:

engineering
information technology
Pre-College