An Integrated Approach To Educating A Diverse Population On Environmental Management Systems

This paper describes the interdisciplinary learning modules being developed with the help of a National Science Foundation CCLI (Curriculum, Course, and Laboratory Improvement) grant to educate students from diverse disciplines about environmental management systems (EMS). The modules are intended to enhance student understanding and appreciation of environmental issues by engaging them in an integrated approach to learning math, science, business, law, social, and engineering concepts. Environmental management systems are “next generation” responses to environmental problems that go beyond regulatory compliance by integrating interdisciplinary science, quality management and systems engineering practices to redress point, non-point and process aspects of pollution. A significant challenge of the project is to design the learning modules so that students can better understand and experience first hand the benefits of environmental management in real-world settings by interacting with students from diverse disciplines and professionals. The project team is assisted by an advisory team consisting of experts from a number of universities and companies. The learning modules are being designed using the Kolb learning cycle and include a variety of active-learning strategies such as class discussions, case studies, guest speakers, web applications, and team projects. Details of the learning modules, pedagogical strategies, and assessment results are presented in this paper.