Tools for Embedding and Assessing Sustainable Development Goals in Engineering Education

Fermín Sánchez-Carracedo, Jordi Segalas, Gorka Bueno, Pere Busquets, Joan Climent, Victor G. Galofré, Boris Lazzarini, David Lopez, Carme Martín, Rafael Miñano, Estíbaliz Sáez de Cámara, Bárbara Sureda, Gemma Tejedor and Eva Vidal
Additional contact information
Fermín Sánchez-Carracedo: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Jordi Segalas: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Gorka Bueno: Faculty of Engineering Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 Bilbao, Spain
Pere Busquets: Department of Mining, Industrial and ICT Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Joan Climent: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Victor G. Galofré: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Boris Lazzarini: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
David Lopez: Department of Computer Architecture, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Carme Martín: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Rafael Miñano: Innovation and Technology for Development Center, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-UPM, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Estíbaliz Sáez de Cámara: Faculty of Engineering Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 Bilbao, Spain
Bárbara Sureda: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Gemma Tejedor: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Eva Vidal: University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC-BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-30

Abstract: This paper presents three tools developed within the framework of the project EDINSOST2-SDG, aimed at embedding and assessing the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Engineering curricula. ESD is promoted through the introduction into engineering curricula of learning outcomes related to sustainability and, specifically, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The first tool, the “Engineering Sustainability Map”, contains ESD-related learning outcomes that any engineering student should have acquired upon completion of their studies. These learning outcomes are described according to four sustainability competencies: (1) Critical contextualization of knowledge, (2) Sustainable use of resources, (3) Participation in community processes, and (4) Application of ethical principles. The second tool, the “Sustainability Presence Map” of a degree, shows the percentage of the presence in the curriculum of each sustainability competency. The calculation of the presence of each competency is based on the effective integration of the related learning outcomes into a specific curriculum. Respective data are provided by teachers responsible for the coordination of the different subjects of the degree, collected by means of a questionnaire. The third tool presented is a questionnaire aimed at measuring the level of ESD that students perceive they have acquired through each competency. The comparison of data resulting from the Sustainability Presence Map with the data from the student questionnaire is the first step that allows the effectiveness of embedding ESD in a degree to be determined, a proper learning assessment will confirm such effectiveness. The three tools presented in this work have undergone a validation process and are currently being used in a set of engineering degrees related to the EDINSOST2-SDG project. The results of the application of these tools are part of the future research work of the authors.

Keywords: education for sustainable development; education for sustainable development goals; education for sustainability; engineering sustainability map; sustainability presence map; sustainability assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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