Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.17
Liaison Chris Frantsvog
Submission Date March 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Luther College
EN-12: Continuing Education

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 5.00 Emily Neal
School Outreach Coordinator
Environmental Studies
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution offer continuing education courses that address sustainability?:
Yes

Total number of continuing education courses offered:
5

Number of continuing education courses offered that address sustainability:
5

Percentage of continuing education courses that address sustainability:
100

A copy of the list and brief description of the continuing education courses that address sustainability:
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A list and brief description of the continuing education courses that address sustainability:

Spring 2017: Systems Leadership Learning Community: The Center for Sustainable Communities hosted a year-long group of teachers and guidance counselors (6 meetings, 20 teachers) to train them how to create systems change within their schools, related to health and sustainability. Our focus was teaching leadership development, learning and applying the systems change model, and working towards a shared vision for healthy school culture. Each participant created and implemented an action plan within the year.

Summer 2017: Finding Your Inner Scientist: (This course was offered twice, 50 teachers participated, both sessions were filled) Do science, teach science. This workshop will place teachers on the front lines of doing science, building their confidence and content knowledge, in order to develop and integrate more inquiry-based science modules into their classrooms. The workshop’s unique design, engages teachers in inquiry oriented lab work and experimentation in research laboratories on the Luther College campus and within the greater watershed of the Upper Iowa River. This highly peer interactive experience provides opportunity for more networking among elementary and middle school educators while contributing to innovative teaching and leadership using STEM concepts. The course curriculum includes learning about issues related to water quality, sustainability and biodiversity in the region.

FALL 2017: Local And Renewable Energy Series: The Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities partnered with the Winneshiek Energy District and Decorah Power in order to host a learning series related to local and renewable energy for community members in the region. Workshops ran the gamut from learning about microgrids and understanding renewable backup systems to community action towards energy independence. Each workshop was 2- hours in lengths and featured notable guests from throughout the Midwest working in the energy field. Roughly 10 – 20 participants attended each of the nine workshops.

Sustainable Cooking Classes: 2018 Schedule
Throughout the course of the year, Luther offers a wide range of food education classes to members of the campus community. An average of 98 staff and faculty members have participated in these cooking classes for the last three years. These events are meant to provide a time and space for faculty and staff from different parts of campus to spend time together while learning a new skill and eating something delicious. All participants of the CSA Rebate Program are required to participate in two opportunities over the course of the summer. A complete list of courses is available on this wesbite: https://www.luther.edu/sustainability/food/classes/. For the purposes of reporting, we are counting this series as one continuing education course.

In conjunction with the work of the Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative, Luther College has conducted dozens of continuing education courses throughout 2017-2019. Over the last two years, the Food & Fitness team has taught an estimated 2,450 parents. More details of these classes can be found in the Additional Documentation section below.


Do the figures reported above cover one, two, or three academic years?:
Three

Does the institution have at least one sustainability-themed certificate program through its continuing education or extension department?:
No

A brief description of the certificate program(s), including the year the program was created:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.