Development and Evaluation of an Introductory Course in Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development, instruction, and evaluation of the undergraduate pilot course, Introduction to Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems (SFBS), at Montana State University. Introduction to SFBS is an interdisciplinary, team-taught, experiential education course designed to introduce students to broad array of SFBS-related topics, expose students to career opportunities in these fields, and enable them to establish relationships with food, agriculture, and energy stakeholders. Students completed baseline and follow-up surveys in which they reported information about their backgrounds, values, and knowledge of SFBS-related topics. The surveys also tracked students' learning and allowed them to provide feedback on course methods. According to the follow-up survey, over the course of the semester students demonstrated development of course vocabulary and concepts. Students' experiences in the course prompted changes in their school-and career-related goals. Additionally, the team-teaching approach was highly valued. Students also indicated that teaching should be more solutions-focused. Evaluation of

Building student capacity to lead sustainability transitions in the food system through farm-based authentic research modules in sustainability sciences (FARMS)

“…Such a strictly disciplinary approach to higher education risks leaving students underprepared to address the complexities of modern food systems (Coops et al, 2015;Wiek et al, 2011). Several institutions across the country have developed agroecology and sustainable food systems degree programs, certificates, and courses to train students to address the multifaceted, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary nature of food systems issues (Grossman et al, 2010;Jacobsen et al, 2012;Malone et al, 2014;Mazurkewicz et al, 2012;Parr and Van Horn, 2006;Reeve et al, 2014;Jordan et al, 2014;Valley et al, 2017).…”

Using Social Networking Analysis to Measure Changes in Regional Food Systems Collaboration: A Methodological Framework

“…While this call has been heeded by some external-funding organizations, particularly the W. K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), both of which require projects to do some form of program evaluation, recent food system academic literature does not reflect similar commitments. In fact, the concept of evaluation has essentially been absent from the food system academic literature since the mid-2000s, with the exception of evaluation of sustainable food systems education and health programs (Galt, Clark, & Parr, 2012;Lachance et al, 2014;Malone, Harmon, Dyer, Maxwell, & Perillo, 2013). This may be attributed to the fact that academics perceive evaluation as a tool primarily used for project political survival and continued acquisition of funding (Webb et al, 1998) with little relevance to expanding the body of knowledge.…”