EESP Youth Programs - College Quest Environmental Science and Sustainability

ESTU 118: Local Perspectives on Environmental Science and Sustainability

Learn about climate science through research and field observations with a special focus on the Nooksack River watershed. Participants will:

Examine the environmental impacts of their energy, waste, food and transportation choices.
Discover how schools, governments, non-profit organizations, businesses and people work together to help solve the problems associated with climate change.
Contribute to an on-campus action project with guidance from Western Washington University's Office of Sustainability by conducting an environmental impact assessment of Western’s departmental offices.
Acquire training to implement the “Cool School Challenge,” an innovative program that motivates schools to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Document their experience with photographs, field audio and writing to create a culminating presentation.
Return home with the knowledge, experience and tools to reduce the carbon impact of their homes, schools and communities.

Course Objectives

Explore the Nooksack River watershed and observe changes occurring in river organisms and processes due to global climate change.
Understand the environmental impacts of our energy, waste, food and transportation choices by talking with experts in the field of sustainability.
Learn to apply science and make a positive impact on the problems associated with climate change.
Gain insights into “green” jobs and careers.
Discover how to use multi-media as an educational tool
Work collaboratively with peers and Western's Office of Sustainability to make real progress toward reducing a community's carbon footprint.

Instructor: Katie Fleming holds a M.Ed. in natural science/science education from Western Washington University and a B.A. in television and film production from Indiana University. A devoted environmental educator, Fleming was the educational coordinator for RE Sources for Sustainable Communities in Bellingham. She is currently the Community Engagement Director at FRIENDS of the San Juans, an environmental organization in Friday Harbor and teaches for Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment.

Class is held Monday through Friday, various hours.

Enrollment is limited to a maximum of 12 students.

2012 video collection (YouTube)

Western Today article for July 20, 2012