INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE FOCUS: REACHING A BROAD CROSS-SECTION OF STUDENTS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTRODUCTORY COURSES INCORPORATING SUSTAINABILITY AND THE GEOSCIENCES

Incorporating sustainability and climate issues into non-major science classes has been a focus of curriculum development at Red Rocks Community College. New labs and activities that deal with sustainability have been developed for multiple science classes of all levels. In addition to infusing existing curriculum to reach a broad range of students, we developed several new course offerings to expand student exposure to sustainability, climate and energy issues. Science and Society (SCI105) is a new lecture course that focuses heavily on earth systems, energy and climate change. The class is designed to be an active learning experience, incorporating activities, presentations and group projects that emphasize the student’s place in the earth system. Students complete a project centering around the Japan earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear disaster at Fukushima in 2011. This interdisciplinary look at a geologic hazard, natural and man-made disaster helps students understand the vulnerability of our power grid, the risks of nuclear energy and the relationship between economic development and disaster recovery.

Introduction to Climatology (MET151) is a new lecture course for non-science majors to explore climate systems and global climate change. Energy Science and Technology (PHY107) is an introductory level, lab-based course exploring many aspects of energy, including pros and cons of renewable energy technologies. Field Studies in Energy (PHY208) is a new field course that we are pairing with field geology (GEY 228) that will allow students to study environment and energy topics in locations such as Iceland, Colorado, and Wyoming. Summer 2016 will feature the Iceland interdisciplinary field experience, as Iceland is the ideal location to study the critical link between geology, climate, energy and society. These new offerings are generating student interest and excitement about energy, climate, and the relevance of sustainability in their lives.