| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.07 |
| Liaison | Mark Klapatch-Mathias |
| Submission Date | Feb. 24, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
IN-25: Innovation B
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Mark
Klapatch Sustainability and Custodial Supervisor Facilities Management |
Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
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:
A new Agricultural Engineering program was developed at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with the first students admitted to the program Fall 2016. This program is new to campus and is becoming an asset for our students, community, and region.
The Agricultural Engineering curriculum focuses on applying engineering principles to agricultural and environmental systems and preparing students for employment in the production and processing of food, fiber and energy.
The curriculum was developed using a student-centered learning environment with a problem-solving approach in the classroom. Students strive to solve problems to meet various constraints such as economics, time, available resources, and sustainability.
For example, students in the Introduction to Engineering course were challenged to design a small scale wind turbine using Computer Aided Design software, printing their models with a 3D printer, and testing and evaluating the Power output of the turbine. In another course, student teams competed to design, 3D print, and test a beam with constraints of designing the strongest beam while minimizing materials and cost.
Through projects in this program, students are evaluating issues with energy, grounds, purchasing, transportation, waste, water, and more. It truly is a sustainability focused program that is giving students hands on experience that was previously not available to them. This is innovative because it pulls together numerous aspects of sustainability. Other courses and programs focus more on one aspect of sustainability. This program really pulls together all aspects of sustainability (social, economic, and environment) to give students a real world holistic sustainability experience.
Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Research
Energy
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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.