Developing an Experiential and Blended New Common Core Course of “Smart Buildings for a Warming Planet”

This project will allow the design, development, and review of a new Common Core course. It will allow students to work in, and contribute to the zero carbon industry once they graduate. The new Common Core course is targeted for teaching in the Spring Semester in 2021. The project plan to achieve the objectives through Experiential Learning based on real buildings and using the UST campus as a Living Laboratory. The new course will allow students to discover the realities of Climate Change and what can be done to move to Zero Carbon Buildings. More details of how we will achieve this are shown in the attached Draft Curriculum. This course will be a complimentary minor in Sustainability. In addition, it will be relevant to science, technology, engineering, management, and business studies. At the end of the course, students will understand real Industry practices, drivers, and barriers toward zero carbon buildings using a non-technical approach. Students will also gain some communication skills that will enhance their professional careers.