This tool introduces students to the different ways in which equity can be deeply embedded in the design of the built environment, in different phases from beginning to end. It encourages students to consider equity more comprehensively as a foundational component of sustainability.
Browse our tools by Category, Type, Big Ideas, and/or Time Commitment, for example, or simply feel free to explore the options below. We also invite you to contribute by adding your own tools that you’ve successfully tried in your classrooms.
Fundamentals of Equity in the Sustainable Built Environment
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Teaching Local/Global SDG Connections Through Case Studies
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” (United Nations). Students completing this lesson will be able to:
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Environmental Justice and the UN SDGs: A WAWA Case Study
The purpose of this tool is to introduce students to the work of the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) and the history of the Proctor Creek watershed, and to situate this work within the context of two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, and SDG 1
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An Introduction to Climate Resilience
Climate change poses numerous and multi-faceted threats to existing ecological and social systems. Climate resilience is the concept of anticipating climate-related stresses to these systems in order to increase their capacity to adapt to climate change, although definitions of resilience vary based on discipline and the systems being examined. Assessment of climate vulnerability, or the degree to which systems and communities are susceptible to the effects of climate change, informs efforts to increase resilience. This tool defines and gives examples of climate resilience and vulnerability through the lens of three areas of research underway at Georgia Tech. First, students will view slides explaining climate resilience and climate vulnerability. Students will then view videos featuring three Georgia Tech faculty describing how their work contributes to enhancing climate resilience. Finally, students will discuss the connections they have made between key concepts in climate resilience and the role of research in developing strategies for climate adaptation.
This tool was contributed by Bonnie Lapwood and Ben Shipley.
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Storytelling Equity
This tool facilitates meaningful discussions on equity through the lens of storytelling. The goal of the tool is to help science and technology students use narrative as a method of quickly testing ideas.
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Thinking More About Food, Climate Change, and Sustainability
This awareness building short reading and discussion activity allows students to:
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SLS Resource List: Equitable and Sustainable Development
The Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain aims to help students create sustainable communities, where humans and nature flourish in the present and future. One SLS Priority area concerning sustainable communities is Equitable & Sustainable Development, focusing on how environment, economy, equity and society shape large infrastructure projects.
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MARTA: The History and Future of Transportation in Atlanta
This is a collection of assignments about public transportation in Atlanta.
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Resources for Teaching about the SDGs
Use these resources to help students learn more about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You may assign readings, find organizations to work with, or simply ask your students to explore what’s available.
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SLS Resource List: Social Innovation
The Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain aims to help students create sustainable communities, where humans and nature flourish in the present and future. One SLS Priority area concerning sustainable communities is Social Innovation, which focuses on instigating change and progress in social areas.
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SLS Resource List: Community Health
The Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain aims to help students create sustainable communities, where humans and nature flourish in the present and future. One SLS Priority area concerning sustainable communities is Community Health, which focuses on achieving a holistic and communal understanding of health, in all intellectual, physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and social aspects of life.
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SLS Resource List: Climate Change & Energy
The Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain aims to help students create sustainable communities, where humans and nature flourish in the present and future. One SLS Priority area concerning sustainable communities is Climate Change & Energy, which focuses on Earth's changing climate and the energy advancements being made to keep these changes in check.
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SLS Resource List: Green Infrastructure
The Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain aims to help students create sustainable communities, where humans and nature flourish in the present and future. One SLS Priority area concerning sustainable communities is Green Infrastructure, which focuses on achieving a society in which our buildings, neighborhoods, and cities promote environmental justice and allow the local environment to flourish.
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Sustainable Cities and Communities: SDG 11
This tool will take a closer look at the 11th UN Sustainable Development Goal, Sustainable Cities and Communities, which aims to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” Students will then use the elements that comprise progress towards the goal
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Kendeda Building Water, Energy, and Materials Tour
This is a video-guided in-person tour of the Kendeda building, focused on the Water, Energy, and Materials Petals of the Living Building Challenge. While on the tour, students are asked to reflect on a few aspects of equity and inclusion, which they later submit through a Canvas assignment.
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Kendeda Building Equity Petal Tour
This is a video-guided in-person tour of the Kendeda building, focused on the Equity Petal of the Living Building Challenge. While on the tour, students are asked to reflect on a few aspects of equity and inclusion, which they later submit through a Canvas assignment. The video tour c
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Student Learning Outcome 1 Rubric
The following rubric assesses SLO 1: Students will be able to identify relationships among ecological, social, and economic systems.
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Create Your Own Case Study
Serve-Learn-Sustain case studies are designed to provide real-world examples of sustainable community-building for instructors. Case studies featured in our Teaching Toolkit are of two types.
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Centering Racial Equity
In July 2020, Serve-Learn-Sustain held a virtual panel discussion entitled “Centering Racial Equity in Equitable and Sustainable Development." Panel guests included Nicole Moore, Director of Education at the
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SLS Case Study: The 11th Street Bridge Park and Community Engagement in Green Infrastructure Planning
In this case study, read about the 11th Street Bridge Park and its planning process, and learn about how community engagement in green infrastructure planning can help address equitable development concerns such as such as housing affordability, workforce development, small business development,
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Community Engagement in Green Infrastructure Planning
In-depth community engagement shapes green infrastructure projects and their impacts on communities. Use this tool to explore the role of community engagement and local knowledge in green infrastructure planning processes.
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An Introduction to Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure refers to an interconnected, multifunctional network of greenspace and natural areas that shapes and is shaped by environmental, economic, social, and health outcomes in communities.
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Co-Curricular Reflection Tool
This tool provides instructors with a focused reflective activity that asks students to make connections between their course and a co-curricular activity.
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Student Learning Outcome 2 Rubric
The following rubric assesses SLO 2: Students will be able to demonstrate skills needed to work effectively in different types of communities.
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Student Learning Outcome 3 Rubric
The following rubric assesses SLO 3: Students will be able to evaluate how decisions impact the sustainability of communities. Students who rank highly on this rubric are able to evaluate how a variety of decisions that occur within and outside of communities affect community sustainability.
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