A new course, Immersive Experience with Sustainability Challenges, is now being offered at Penn State in Fall 2012. A donation from Penn State alumnus Earl Harbaugh will allow the new Environmental Resource Management course to be offered. ERM497a will integrate sustainability and business topics for students in all majors.
Students will work in teams to address sustainability-related challenges at “client” organizations. Partner organizations may range from local manufacturers to Penn State Athletics. Student teams will work directly with the client to prepare a sustainability report or other documentation designed to help the organization meet both business and sustainability objectives.
Learning objectives for the course include an understanding of the interface between business and sustainability, and realities of how organization leaders must balance decisions related to profits and the environment (i.e., the triple bottom line). Students will also increase their knowledge of key topics such as waste reduction, “green” product certification, and sustainability metrics.
Judd Michael, a 2012-13 Harbaugh Scholar who has appointments in both ecosystems science and management and ag and biological engineering, will teach the course.
Anyone interested in more information about the course may contact Michael at Packaging@psu.edu.