Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.12
Liaison Maria Dahmus
Submission Date March 5, 2021

STARS v2.2

University of St. Thomas
IN-48: Innovation B

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 0.50 Simeon Lancaster
Producer
Under-Told Stories Project
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Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Under-Told Stories Project

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
Under-Told Stories is a journalism project focused on diverse aspects of sustainability and the work of change agents addressing them. It has been housed at the University of St. Thomas for several years. In the past year, Under-Told Stories has sought to expand the educational impact of its stories, which are broadcast nationally on the highly respected PBS NewsHour. Most of these global stories relate directly to social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

Under-Told Stories recently completed a pilot project to develop nine full learning modules – lesson plans and teaching notes to accompany stories – for higher education instructors. Some of the learning modules address sustainability topics such as agriculture, water, waste, and pollution. The learning modules were designed and written by faculty within and beyond St. Thomas. They were reviewed by an editorial board for quality, and they are freely available to all educators. The Under-Told Stories team is developing additional resources to help educators use storytelling in their courses.

Under-Told Stories received an innovation credit in the University's 2018 STARS report. However, the nine peer-reviewed learning modules that have subsequently been developed are the innovation we are highlighting this time.

Supporting Documentation
Center for Common Good, Under-Told Stories Project Announce Collaboration:
https://news.stthomas.edu/center-for-common-good-under-told-stories-project-announce-collaboration/

Under-Told Stories Project Website:
https://www.undertoldstories.org/

Optional Fields

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.