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Creating Solutions to Climate Change |
Sunday, May 26, 2019 |
10:00 AM–10:50 AM |
Fairmont, Lobby Level, Cuvee |
Area: CSS |
Instruction Level: Intermediate |
Chair: Criss Wilhite (California State University Fresno ) |
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The Role of a Sustainability Institute in Solutions to Climate Change |
Domain: Service Delivery |
CRISS WILHITE (California State University Fresno ), Beth Weinman (California State University Fresno) |
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Abstract: The importance and roles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) in sustainability are not clearly understood by others working in the field of sustainable practices. Fortunately, ABA and OBM were instrumental (along with other disciplines) in the proposal of a sustainability institute at California State University, Fresno, in 2014. The Institute of Water and Sustainability was established in May of 2018. The Associate Vice-President of the Institute was introduced to ABA and OBM at the Fresno State Sustainability Conference the month before. The Institute has enabled the integration of faculty research and applications, student coursework, infrastructure improvements, and community outreach relative to climate change, water policy, and sustainable practices. This ongoing process has the potential to accelerate solutions and adaptations to climate change at the regional level and to contribute to solutions and adaptations at the global level. |
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Introducing the Scientific Method Through the Science of Climate Change: Building Opportunities Through Networks of Discovery at Fresno State |
Domain: Service Delivery |
BETH WEINMAN (California State University Fresno), Criss Wilhite (California State University Fresno ) |
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Abstract: Building Opportunities through Networks of Discovery (BOND) is a program for first-year students in the College of Science and Mathematics at Fresno State. The program includes behavior analytic education, is in its fourth year and was designed to improve student retention in the sciences. Students engage in practice, provide the solutions based on their research, and develop a sense of belonging to the College and University. The projects undertaken are intergenerational, collaborative, and “course-based research experiences” (CUREs) that are supported by campus Facilities Management and Water and Sustainability Institute administrators, who help with course content and provide students the campus data needed to propose research and solutions to real-life campus problems. Using “high-impact practices” that involve year-long authentic sustainability research on campus, the students in the program show increased STEM persistence as well as reduced achievement gaps when compared to control groups. |
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