Sustainability is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
- Defined by the United Nations Brundtland Commission in 1987.
The United Nations lists 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ranging from "No Poverty" to "Responsible Consumption and Production." This summer program will have students explore all 17 prior to selecting one engineering-related goal to explore through both the technological innovation and the societal-change routes to achieving this goal.
You will develop an enhanced awareness of the interplay between global goals, societal needs and behavior and technological solutions. You will increase your awareness of the broad field of sustainability and the challenges facing society. You will develop the skills required to decompose a seemingly large problem into manageable, addressable goals. Research tools will include published books, online sources and academic literature while utilizing University library resources and Google Scholar. You will dive into scientific communication skills — how to present a complex topic to a wide audience through media presentation. During the program, you will responsibly utilize AI as a research and learning partner in addition to creating engaging and accurate graphics. The final product at the end of the week will be a five-minute student created video on the topic that will be posted online.
Professor McIntosh
Professor McIntosh is the Zisman Family Professor and Department Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. His interdisciplinary research focuses on the development of novel materials and electrochemical systems for energy and environmental applications.
