Overall Rating Bronze
Overall Score 28.30
Liaison Eva Chase
Submission Date June 21, 2024

STARS v2.2

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.20 / 4.00 Heidi Sieverding
Associate Professor of Practice
CEE
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:

The Garden Club on campus has created a group of students interested in engaging in growing food and providing fresh food to students in the dormitories. They have built raised garden beds in front of a dorm building, with hopes of expanding into a larger garden. The Sustainability Club on campus has been created to educate, engage students with, and create a space where students can connect over sustainability ideas and projects on campus. One thing they are working on now is to establish Terracycle bins in the student union for difficult to recycle items.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:

There are several courses in the Civil and Environmental Engineering program that incorporate sustainability research and project design to solve community/regional problems or dilemmas. For instance, one class gave two subject matter topic area options (food waste and energy) and students came up with projects that addressed both in the local context. To do this, students connected with local businesses or groups to discuss issues and talk through the feasibility of solutions. These projects were made public at a poster presentation that the campus and community was invited to join.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:

Dr. Heidi Sieverding CEE 325 class applies sustainability knowledge to Buildings by designing a more sustainable wall and calculating the R-value.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:

SDSMT has a Garden Club that actively engages students in hands-on learning through the cultivation and maintenance of planter boxes outside of the PC. These planter boxes, containing a combination of vegetables and flowers, serve as a practical educational resource where students can learn about sustainable food production, horticulture, and the principles of food systems. Through participation in the Garden Club, students gain valuable experience and knowledge in gardening, contributing to their overall understanding of sustainability practices within food and dining contexts.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:

Dr. Heidi Sieverding CEE 325 class applies sustainability knowledge to waste by identifying a location for a new landfill within the Rapid City community and creating an factsheet on why it was selected for stakeholders.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:

Dr. Heidi Sieverding CEE 325 class applies sustainability knowledge to water by calculating their water use and comparing it with others.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:

SDSMT has an Environmental Change and Sustainability Club that provides students with opportunities to develop skills in event coordination and planning by organizing outreach events focused on sustainability. Through this club, students engage in various projects and initiatives aimed at making the campus more sustainable, while also educating their peers about different aspects of sustainability. These activities require students to practice coordination and planning skills to effectively create and execute educational events and sustainability projects.


 


Additionally, Dr. Heidi Sieverding CEE 325 class applies sustainability knowledge to coordination and lanning by doing Team Community Concepts such as SMART brainstorming, SWOT analysis, SWOT revision, developing a decision matrix, draft poster, and final poster. Additionally, they learned Good-for-us design strategy by using design with intent strategies to influence users and campus community members to improve sustainability. Finally, they also did data collection by Designing and implementing a community data collection plan surrounding a sustainability issue on campus.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:

Dr. Heidi Sieverding CEE 325 class applies sustainability knowledge to Investment and Finance by calculating the return on investment for different changes within the campus community


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.