Recognition and appreciation for teachers who lead the way in sustainability

"We have been working together as a group for several years now. While each of us brings their own talents and expertise, we share a common goal: Equipping our students with the right tools for today's complex challenges towards a better world. Our diverse perspectives help us stay sharp, spark new ideas, and keep us aligned. Our students also work in interdisciplinary teams to explore new ideas, experiencing the value and fun of cross-disciplinary collaboration in building a sustainable future."

"We teach students to think in terms of small contributions that together solve bigger problems. A key framework for this is Marianna Mazzucato's Moonshot Guide, inspired by the Apollo program: We are sending a person to the moon and are bringing him back alive-what steps do we need to take to achieve this? In other words, dare to think big, then break it down into smaller, manageable parts. We practice this with students on a grand societal challenge of their own choosing."

"In our classes, we draw on frameworks rooted in three major scientific fields. The first is System Theory (our society is complex and interconnected, with large uncertainty and potentially unexpected consequences), the second is Futures Studies (what futures are conceivable, and where do you want to go), and the last is Transition Science (how do you achieve this envisioned future, and how do you avoid getting discouraged along the way). Unfortunately, there are no silver bullets to success. Therefore, we teach students to always read the specific context they are working in and consider all the conditions necessary."

Photo The Built Environment teaching group (clockwise): Johan van Zoest, Ewelina Schraven, Chris Steenhuis, Patrick Limpens.