RCE North Texas - 2019

SDG-Focused Curriculum Through RCE Partnership
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
SDG-Focused Curriculum Through RCE Partnership
Submitting RCE: 
RCE North Texas
Contributing organization(s) : 
UT Dallas, City of Dallas (anticipated), Various RCE Member Organizations
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Gary Cocke
Organizational Affiliation: 
University of Texas at Dallas
E-mail: 
gary.cocke@utdallas.edu
Format of project: 
University Curriculum, Project Proposal to RCE Member
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
No
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Americas
Country: 
United States
Location(s): 
North Texas
Address of focal point institution for project: 
800 W. Campbell Rd., FM 11
Richardson, TX 75080
Ecosystem(s):
Agricultural, Dryland, Grassland, Urban/Peri-urban
Target Audience:
Higher
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is located an urban and suburban area with 6.8 million residents in many municipalities. The predominant ecosystem is grassland prairie, but natural ecosytems are greatly impacted by human activity. Residents in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex span the socioeconomic spectrum.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
May, 2019
Rationale: 
Curriculum that is directly related to the Sustainable Development Goals is very uncommon in university classrooms in North Texas. Students learn about issues related to sustainability, but often the connection to sustainability is not clearly defined for them and they are not provided the opportunity to apply their education to address sustainability issues. These reasons lead to students lacking the skills needed for leadership for sustainable development.
Objectives: 
1 - Integrate SDG's into University assessment and Learning Outcomes so that all students understand sustainable development.
2 - Create curriculum to introduce students to SDGs as the global framework for sustainability
3 - Lead students, in a classroom setting, in developing a proposal to address sustainability issues that are put forward by RCE members.
4 - Provide the proposed solution to RCE members for implementation, if viable.
4 -
Activities and/or practices employed: 
1- UTD has focused the Comets to the Core Program on SDG's. All incoming freshmen will be required to work on collaborative projects related to SDG's as part of University assessment of learning outcomes.
2 - UTD has adopted a learning outcome related to sustainability that will be assessed for all students.
3 - UTD is developing a course that will select top performers from the Comets to the Core program to further develop solutions that can be taken to RCE members to address real-world sustainability issues facing the North Texas Region.
Size of academic audience: 
Approximately 5,500 students per year
Results: 
SDG learning outcomes were integrated into university assessment, learning outcomes, and curriculum for Fall 2019 and results are ongoing. UT Dallas is already able to measure improvement in institutional sustainability through the AASHE STARS Report due to improved partnerships for sustainability through the Provost's Office. We expect to demonstrate greater student engagement in sustainability, greater student literacy of sustainability, intra-RCE collaboration for sustainability, implementation of student proposals, and continued growth of SDG's in curriculum on university campuses.
Lessons learned: 
1 - Universities can lead regional sustainability by engaging students in project leadership for RCE Members.
2 - Students can learn about SDGs in a classroom setting and apply knowledge for RCE members.
3 - Universities should integrate SDGs in existing programs to maximize impact.
Key messages: 
This program exposes all students to sustainability in a measurable way and provides students the opportunity to take an in-depth course to gain deeper knowledge of sustainability issues and develop solutions for members of the RCE.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Direct
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
Theme
Curriculum Development 
Direct
Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development – Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Building capacities of educators and trainers 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Empowering and mobilizing youth 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
Direct
Update: 
No