Education & Research

One example is the Civil Engineering program, which incorporates sustainability into the engineering curriculum.

The Sustainable Agriculture Project at the University of Minnesota, Duluth (a.k.a. SAP@UMD) is an experiential venue to educate students, the university community, and the broader region about sustainable agriculture. Activities will revolve around stewardship of a four ace heritage apple orchard and a ten acre field for vegetable production. Participants can work with biophysical, sociocultural and political economic problems and solutions related to food, farm and gardening, integrating participatory and action oriented scholarship, learning, and teaching. A formal structure for SAP@UMD is being worked out in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff in Facilities and the offices of Sustainability and Civic Engagement. We will commence with a modest first season garden in Spring, 2010.

SAP@UMD is an experiential venue to educate students, the university community, and the broader region about sustainable agriculture. Participants can work with biophysical, sociocultural and political economic problems and solutions related to food, farm and gardening, integrating participatory and action oriented scholarship, learning, and teaching.
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Dr. David Syring's Senior Seminar students find creative ways to learn about various aspects of sustainability on campus, working in teams to share their experiences and teach what they have discovered.

See student work on:
• WASTE
• TRANSPORTATION
• LEED Satisfation (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)
• BOTTLED WATER

UMD's Solar Panel provides "hands on" research for UMD students.

Solar energy is converted into alternating current for use in the Malosky Stadium. A weather station was installed on the roof to aid in future research in the area of concentrated photovoltaic systems (CPV).

NRRI's research has found unique ways of applying waste reduction to creatively "Add up to ZERO" in industry and business.

UMD′s Natural Resources Research Institute is researching markets for the materials found in used mattresses to keep them out of landfills. The foam can be reused in carpet underlayment, the cotton can be refashioned into oil filters, the steel springs can be compressed and sent to a foundry and multiple uses are being researched for the composite “shoddy„ layer. The wood in box springs is being used as biofuel. The hope is that a successful business model can be developed and duplicated around the country for mattress recycling.

• NRRI
  
• UMD Seagrant