Dare to Teach Sustainability

Paper in proceeding, 2021

The future role of engineers is facing a shift in focus, from finding technical solutions to sustainable technical solutions. This shift will require engineers to have a different approach to sustainability and technical development. Introducing the Sustainable Development Goals can be considered in conformity with the more traditional methods of engineering where the goals can be seen as a specification where technology can contribute. This change is not only a challenge for the students but also for the teachers. For many teachers, sustainable development was not a part of their education and is not within their area of expertise. Therefore, many teachers feel uncomfortable about teaching sustainable development och struggle with how to incorporate it into their everyday teaching. Other teachers are experts in sustainable development but not in the specific discipline (here electrical engineering or mechatronics). The students need to learn how sustainable development is connected to their specific discipline. A method to introducing the sustainable development goals in discipline focused courses is presented, as inspiration for other teachers. The purpose was to create an assignment that all students found to be interesting and still not require the teacher to become an expert. The assignment was integrated in two discipline focused courses in the first and second cycle. The course evaluations showed that the majority of the students stated that the course had improved their understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals and the direct connection to their discipline was appreciated at both levels and made the assignments considered useful.