OOS 70-3
Integrating human diversity into undergraduate ecology education for the 21st century
This presentation will examine the demographics of 21st century undergraduate education, with a particular focus on liberal arts colleges, and the nexus between student interest in STEM education and the ecology and environmental studies. The increasing interest of students from underrepresented groups in STEM education poses an interesting opportunity to examine how these students find their pathway into undergraduate environmental education and the field of ecology in particular. Opportunities and challenges to the development of academic programs in environmental education and sustainability will be discussed. How do issues of climate change, fossil fuel divestment, environmental justice, conservation, or biodiversity emerge in the curriculum or in co-curricular initiatives? What are the roles of academic administration and faculty in developing and supporting this area of liberal arts education?
Results/Conclusions
Pitzer College, an institution with substantial student diversity, presents an interesting case study of student interest in environmental sustainability as a core value juxtaposed against environmental education. As an institution that advocates for a significant student role in the development of institutional policy, the divestment and climate action plan that has been adopted provides a possible model for achieving specific goals with regard to carbon footprint and fossil fuel divestment. In addition, Pitzer College’s location in Southern California with the specific challenges of climate change and water conservation emphasizes the importance of place in relation to addressing local environmental problems. Further, as part of The Claremont Colleges, Pitzer College, also provides an opportunity to examine how intercollegiate collaboration in environmental education can benefit institutional partners through shared academic programs and resources.