Community Engagement

Greenville Technical College: Sustainable Curriculum Via Outdoor Learning Laboratory

During the Textile Age in the early 1900’s, the Reedy River which runs through the heart of Greenville, South Carolina and borders Greenville Technical College (GTC) became heavily polluted. Its freshwater ecosystem now provides the backdrop for an emerging unique learning center with intersections between sustainability, scientific processes, and technology. GTC’s Outdoor Living and Learning Laboratory offers contextualized learning experiences for students through sustainable curriculum modules.

The Outdoor Living and Learning Lab is intended to be integrated into all courses campus-wide. Students are able to apply concepts learned in traditional classroom environments in an outdoor environment as they learn about effective strategies for restoring the fragile freshwater watershed. Students in environmental science and ecology classes take soil and water sample measurements, manipulate equipment, record data, and analyze results in real-life applications to determine the effects of recent recycling and clean-up efforts along the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Contributions of two professors were recognized as part of the League for Innovation’s Innovation of the Year 2011 awards.

To create the Outdoor Living and Learning Lab and to integrate other sustainability efforts on campus as part of a long-range plan, key stakeholders will meet to discuss potential expansions for the Outdoor Living and Learning Lab. Currently students participate in water and soil sampling. Future planning considers the implementation of a water wheel, a board walk and sampling locations, path lighting and irrigation for campus.

Green Building Science - In addition to creating college-wide curriculum modules, GTC has incorporated green building science in the Architectural and Construction Engineering Technology programs, including a new Solar Technician Certificate (preparing students for NABCEP certification). Through the college’s Corporate and Career Development Division, green offerings include stand-alone courses as well as green workforce certificates such as the Green Supply Chain Certificate with five online courses:

• Green Purchasing Fundamentals
• Sustainability 101: Corporate Social Responsibility Essentials
• Green Transportation: 12 Best Practices
• Green Warehouse Strategies
• Green Supply Chain Management

The Green Supply Chain Certificate program is designed to align organizational systems, policies, and procedures supporting green purchasing practices with organization sustainability. Additional workforce and credit offerings are being considered in partnership with program advisory board members.

By incorporating the outdoors with the traditional school learning environment GTC offers opportunities for students to synthesize concepts and personal experiences. The creation of this new environment to support sustainable curriculum and institutional practice reflects GTC's commitment to improving student achievement and workforce education.

For additional information:
Kathy Ferrell
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Kathy.Ferrell@gvltec.edu

- Greenville Technical Community College
- Tech Focused on Growing People and Business, The Greenville News, January 15, 2012, editorial by President Keith Miller
- Outdoor Learning and Living Lab at Greenville Technical Community College
League for Innovation 2011 Innovation of the Year Winners