This document discusses integrating sustainability education into technology curriculums. It begins by defining sustainability and listing critical topics related to sustainability including human interactions with the social, physical and natural world. It then discusses standards from organizations like the International Technology Education Association (ITEA) and Project 2061 that align with teaching sustainability. Specific strategies are proposed for the technology lab, such as reducing phantom energy loads, being paperless, recycling, and using green materials. Overall, the document provides an overview of sustainability education and offers ways to incorporate these concepts into technology courses.

1. SustainabilitySustainability
ThroughThrough
TechnologyTechnology
EducationEducation
Tom KubickiTom Kubicki
SUNY OswegoSUNY Oswego
kubicki@oswego.edukubicki@oswego.edu

2. SustainabilitySustainability
Development that meets theDevelopment that meets the
needs of the presentneeds of the present
without compromising thewithout compromising the
ability of future generationsability of future generations
to meet their own needs.to meet their own needs.

3. Critical Topics ofCritical Topics of
SustainabilitySustainability
 Human interactions with the Social,Human interactions with the Social,
Physical (Technological) and NaturalPhysical (Technological) and Natural
WorldWorld
 Ethics in Sustainability Discussions andEthics in Sustainability Discussions and
DecisionsDecisions
 The Current and Near Future Scope ofThe Current and Near Future Scope of
the Sustainability Issuethe Sustainability Issue
 Motivating/Encouraging EnvironmentallyMotivating/Encouraging Environmentally
Sustainable BehaviorsSustainable Behaviors

4. Human interactions with theHuman interactions with the
Social, Physical (Technological)Social, Physical (Technological)
and Natural Worldand Natural World
 harmony with natureharmony with nature
 technology and society interactionstechnology and society interactions
 impacts/effects of the Physical andimpacts/effects of the Physical and
Natural World on continued humanNatural World on continued human
existence/consumptionexistence/consumption
 the relationship of population,the relationship of population,
consumption, technology and theconsumption, technology and the
capacity of the biospherecapacity of the biosphere

5. Ethics in SustainabilityEthics in Sustainability
Discussions and DecisionsDiscussions and Decisions
equity and social justice inequity and social justice in
sustainable developmentsustainable development
personal v. societal valuespersonal v. societal values
towards sustainabilitytowards sustainability
sustainability decision processsustainability decision process
v. scientific certaintyv. scientific certainty

6. The Current and Near FutureThe Current and Near Future
Scope of the SustainabilityScope of the Sustainability
IssueIssue
 Climate changes recordedClimate changes recorded
 Natural resource reservesNatural resource reserves
 Population growth trendsPopulation growth trends
 Environmental challengesEnvironmental challenges
 Eco-system challengesEco-system challenges
 Reversibility of theseReversibility of these
impacts/challengesimpacts/challenges

7. Motivating/EncouragingMotivating/Encouraging
Environmentally SustainableEnvironmentally Sustainable
BehaviorsBehaviors
 Personal, societal, political,Personal, societal, political,
business/financial andbusiness/financial and
governmental constraintsgovernmental constraints
 Interplay of spiritual and culturalInterplay of spiritual and cultural
beliefs on environmentallybeliefs on environmentally
sustainable behaviorssustainable behaviors
 Micro and macroeconomic forcesMicro and macroeconomic forces

8. Fit withFit with
TechnologyTechnology
CurriculumsCurriculums
ITEA StandardsITEA Standards
Science for AllScience for All
Americans ProjectAmericans Project

9. ITEAITEA
StandardsStandardsThe students will acquire knowledge of:The students will acquire knowledge of:
3. The Relationships among technologies and the3. The Relationships among technologies and the
connections between technology and other fields.connections between technology and other fields.
4. The cultural, social, economic and political effects of4. The cultural, social, economic and political effects of
technology.technology.
5. The effects of technology on the environment.5. The effects of technology on the environment.
6. The role of society in the development and use of6. The role of society in the development and use of
technology.technology.
7. The influence of technology on society.7. The influence of technology on society.
12. Use and maintain technological products and12. Use and maintain technological products and
systems.systems.
13 Assess the impact of products and systems.13 Assess the impact of products and systems.

10. ITEA Standards cont.ITEA Standards cont.
The students will acquire knowledge of:The students will acquire knowledge of:
15. Agricultural and related biotechnologies.15. Agricultural and related biotechnologies.
16. Energy and power technologies.16. Energy and power technologies.
18. Transportation technologies.18. Transportation technologies.
19. Manufacturing technologies.19. Manufacturing technologies.
20. Construction technologies.20. Construction technologies.
www.ITEAconnect.orgwww.ITEAconnect.org

11. Project 2061Project 2061
StandardsStandards
 http://www.project2061.org/publications/bshttp://www.project2061.org/publications/bs


12. Project 2061Project 2061


13. North East SustainableNorth East Sustainable
Education AssociationEducation Association
http://http://nesea.gaiahost.coopnesea.gaiahost.coop/education//education/

14. SustainabilitySustainability
Education HandbookEducation Handbook
http://http://
www.urbanoptions.org/SustainEdHandbookwww.urbanoptions.org/SustainEdHandbook
//

16. Green TeacherGreen Teacher
MagazineMagazine
http://www.greenteacher.com//http://www.greenteacher.com//

18. Status of the Earth andStatus of the Earth and
It’s ResourcesIt’s Resources
http://http://
www.theglobaleducationproject.org/earth/indwww.theglobaleducationproject.org/earth/ind

22. Education forEducation for
SustainableSustainable
Development ToolkitDevelopment Toolkit
http://http://
www.esdtoolkit.org/about.htm#downloadwww.esdtoolkit.org/about.htm#download

24. Earth QuizEarth Quiz
http://http://
www.theglobaleducationproject.org/earth/quwww.theglobaleducationproject.org/earth/qu

25. Be, Live, Buy DifferentBe, Live, Buy Different
http://http://www.ibuydifferent.orgwww.ibuydifferent.org//

27. World Fact BookWorld Fact Book
Compiled by the CIACompiled by the CIA
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-wohttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-wo

29. Energy Star for KidsEnergy Star for Kids
http://http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?cwww.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c==
kids.kids_indexkids.kids_index

32. LinksLinks
 North East Sustainable Education AssociationNorth East Sustainable Education Association
 http://nesea.gaiahost.coop/education/http://nesea.gaiahost.coop/education/
 Sustainability Education HandbookSustainability Education Handbook
 http://www.urbanoptions.org/SustainEdHandbook/http://www.urbanoptions.org/SustainEdHandbook/
 Green Teacher magazineGreen Teacher magazine
 http://www.greenteacher.com//http://www.greenteacher.com//
 DOE Lesson materials – Get Smart About EnergyDOE Lesson materials – Get Smart About Energy
 http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/
 Contains printable modules/activities that are simple to useContains printable modules/activities that are simple to use
 Energy Star for KidsEnergy Star for Kids
 http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_indexhttp://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_index
 Status of the Earth and It’s ResourcesStatus of the Earth and It’s Resources
 http://www.theglobaleducationproject.org/earth/index.phphttp://www.theglobaleducationproject.org/earth/index.php
 Earth QuizEarth Quiz
 http://www.theglobaleducationproject.org/earth/quiz.phphttp://www.theglobaleducationproject.org/earth/quiz.php
 Be, Live, Buy DifferentBe, Live, Buy Different
 http://www.ibuydifferent.org/http://www.ibuydifferent.org/
 Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit (FREE)Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit (FREE)
 http://www.esdtoolkit.org/about.htm#downloadhttp://www.esdtoolkit.org/about.htm#download
 World Fact Book Compiled by the CIAWorld Fact Book Compiled by the CIA
 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.htmlhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

33. LOW HANGING FRUIT IN THE TECHNOLOGY LABLOW HANGING FRUIT IN THE TECHNOLOGY LAB
 REDUCTION OF “PHANTOM LOADS” ON THE LAB COMPUTERS.REDUCTION OF “PHANTOM LOADS” ON THE LAB COMPUTERS.
 PAPERLESS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. ASSIGNMENTS AND HANDOUTS.PAPERLESS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. ASSIGNMENTS AND HANDOUTS.
 REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION FOR LIGHTS, MACHINERY AND ELECTRONICS INREDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION FOR LIGHTS, MACHINERY AND ELECTRONICS IN
THE LAB AS MUCH AS SAFELY PRACTICAL.THE LAB AS MUCH AS SAFELY PRACTICAL.
 RECYCLE: PAPER, PRINT CARTRIDGES, BATTERIES, DRINK CONTAINERS,RECYCLE: PAPER, PRINT CARTRIDGES, BATTERIES, DRINK CONTAINERS,
HARDWARE, AND CONSUMABLE MATERIALS IN THE LAB AND DEVELOP STUDENTHARDWARE, AND CONSUMABLE MATERIALS IN THE LAB AND DEVELOP STUDENT
PROBLEM BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE ISSUEPROBLEM BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE ISSUE
IN THE SCHOOL AND THEN TO MAKE SOLUTIONS THAT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED ATIN THE SCHOOL AND THEN TO MAKE SOLUTIONS THAT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED AT
LITTLE OR NO COST.LITTLE OR NO COST.
 PROVIDE LAB EXPERIENCES IN USING ENERGY SAVING DEVICES BY COMPARINGPROVIDE LAB EXPERIENCES IN USING ENERGY SAVING DEVICES BY COMPARING
THEM TO TRADITIONAL DEVICES AND MATHEMATICALLY CHART THETHEM TO TRADITIONAL DEVICES AND MATHEMATICALLY CHART THE
PERFORMANCE DATA TO DEVELOP A COST BENEFIT STATEMENT.PERFORMANCE DATA TO DEVELOP A COST BENEFIT STATEMENT.
 REUSE RECYCLED MATERIALS IN THE PROBLEM BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES.REUSE RECYCLED MATERIALS IN THE PROBLEM BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES.
 USE “GREEN” MATERIALS AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE: WATER BASED STAINS ANDUSE “GREEN” MATERIALS AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE: WATER BASED STAINS AND
FINISHES, WATER BASED GLUES, SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL RESOURCES WHEREFINISHES, WATER BASED GLUES, SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL RESOURCES WHERE
POSSIBLE, DESIGNS THAT LIMIT WASTE OF MATERIALS.POSSIBLE, DESIGNS THAT LIMIT WASTE OF MATERIALS.
 SUSTAINABILITY ARTICLES/WEB INFORMATION THAT STUDENTS CAN READ ANDSUSTAINABILITY ARTICLES/WEB INFORMATION THAT STUDENTS CAN READ AND
WRITE A REFLECTION ON.WRITE A REFLECTION ON.
 PROMOTION OF GOOD SUSTAINABILITY HABITS AS A PART OF THE CURRICULUM.PROMOTION OF GOOD SUSTAINABILITY HABITS AS A PART OF THE CURRICULUM.
 DEVELOP A COURSE FOR HIGH SCHOOL ON SUSTAINABILITY THAT WOULD BEDEVELOP A COURSE FOR HIGH SCHOOL ON SUSTAINABILITY THAT WOULD BE
ISSUES DRIVEN WITH PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS THAT COULD BE MODELED INISSUES DRIVEN WITH PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS THAT COULD BE MODELED IN
LEARNING ACTIVITIES.LEARNING ACTIVITIES.
 DEVELOP MIDDLE LEVEL ACTIVITIES THAT CAN MODEL SUSTAINABLEDEVELOP MIDDLE LEVEL ACTIVITIES THAT CAN MODEL SUSTAINABLE
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS EMBEDDED INTO THE INTRODUCTORYTECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS EMBEDDED INTO THE INTRODUCTORY
CURRICULUM.CURRICULUM.
 CAREER AWARENESS FOR JOBS FOR THE “GREEN” ECONOMY.CAREER AWARENESS FOR JOBS FOR THE “GREEN” ECONOMY.

34. Home Made Green CleanersHome Made Green Cleaners
 Furniture PolishFurniture Polish
 ¼ olive oil¼ olive oil
 ¼ distilled white vinegar¼ distilled white vinegar
 2 teaspoons of lemon juice2 teaspoons of lemon juice
 Place in bottle and shake well before usingPlace in bottle and shake well before using
 Toilet Bowl CleanerToilet Bowl Cleaner
 Baking Soda sprinkled onto inside bowl surfaceBaking Soda sprinkled onto inside bowl surface
 Spray white distilled vinegar onto coated surfaceSpray white distilled vinegar onto coated surface
 Let stand 30 minutes and scrub with a bowl brushLet stand 30 minutes and scrub with a bowl brush
 All Purpose CleanerAll Purpose Cleaner
 2 cups distilled white vinegar2 cups distilled white vinegar
 2 cups water2 cups water
 ¼ teaspoon of lemon oil (about 25 drops)¼ teaspoon of lemon oil (about 25 drops)
 Shake before each use in a spray bottleShake before each use in a spray bottle