9-12 Grade LVL
Develop this strand through the structured course pathway, unit study, and recurring practice tasks.
Course
Sustainable Engineering & Design
Self-paced sustainable engineering built on the Intro to Sustainability text: systems thinking, feedback mapping, circular design, and climate/materials engineering that culminate in capstone solutions to wicked problems.
Prerequisite: None
Units
12
Lessons
3
Labs
3
Assessments
0
Estimated Length
13h estimated
What You'll Learn
Core concepts and engineering habits developed across the pathway.
Self-Paced
Develop this strand through the structured course pathway, unit study, and recurring practice tasks.
NJ Standards
Develop this strand through the structured course pathway, unit study, and recurring practice tasks.
Course Pathway
Structured blocks with one recommended unit expanded by default.
Block 1
What Is Sustainable Engineering? to Resources, Energy, and Efficiency
A sequenced section of the course pathway that groups adjacent units into one thematic block.
Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.
01
Unit 1
Continue HereWhat Is Sustainable Engineering?
Understand the definition of sustainable engineering; explore three dimensions (environmental, social, economic); systems thinking.
3 lessons3 labs0 assessments13h estimatedBeginner
Opens at lesson 1
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the definition of sustainable engineering
- explore three dimensions (environmental, social, economic)
- systems thinking
References / Standards
8.2.12.ED.1: Design and create a product that addresses a real-world problem using a systematic design process.8.2.12.ED.5: Demonstrate how to use optimization to improve a product through simulation and testing.
Lab / Practice
3 embedded labs or applied exercises move this unit from theory into build, testing, or analysis work.
Assessment
Checkpoint prompts and reflection tasks support review before advancing.
02
Unit 2
Design Thinking and the Engineering Design Process
Master the engineering design process as structured problem-solving
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedBeginner
Opens at lesson 1
03
Unit 3
Resources, Energy, and Efficiency
Measure resource flows and design for efficiency
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedBeginner
Opens at lesson 1
Block 2
Materials and Lifecycle Thinking to Human-Centered Sustainable Design
A sequenced section of the course pathway that groups adjacent units into one thematic block.
Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.
04
Unit 4
Materials and Lifecycle Thinking
Design with full lifecycle awareness from extraction to end-of-life
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedBeginner
Opens at lesson 1
05
Unit 5
Waste, Failure, and Redesign
Design for durability, repairability, and circular thinking
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedIntermediate
Opens at lesson 1
06
Unit 6
Human-Centered Sustainable Design
Design for people: accessibility, equity, inclusion, and safety
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedIntermediate
Opens at lesson 1
Block 3
Sustainable Structures and Built Environments to Product Design for Sustainability
A sequenced section of the course pathway that groups adjacent units into one thematic block.
Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.
07
Unit 7
Sustainable Structures and Built Environments
Design buildings and infrastructure for energy and resource efficiency
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedIntermediate
Opens at lesson 1
08
Unit 8
Water, Food, and Environmental Systems
Design for water security, food systems, and natural systems
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedIntermediate
Opens at lesson 1
09
Unit 9
Product Design for Sustainability
Design products for modularity, packaging, manufacturing, and end-of-life
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedAdvanced
Opens at lesson 1
Block 4
Data, Testing, and Evidence-Based Improvement to Capstone Design Studio
A sequenced section of the course pathway that groups adjacent units into one thematic block.
Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.
10
Unit 10
Data, Testing, and Evidence-Based Improvement
Measure, test, analyze, and improve with data-driven evidence
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedAdvanced
Opens at lesson 1
11
Unit 11
Ethics, Tradeoffs, and Real-World Constraints
Navigate cost, safety, ethics, and sustainability trade-offs
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedAdvanced
Opens at lesson 1
12
Unit 12
Capstone Design Studio
Design, build, test, and defend a solution that matters to community
0 lessons0 labs0 assessmentsSelf-pacedAdvanced
Opens at lesson 1
Course Resources
NJ Standards Alignment
8.2.12.ED.18.2.12.ED.58.2.12.ETW.49.4.12.CI.19.4.12.CT.29.4.12.TL.3
A comprehensive 36-week engineering course spanning 12 modules: design thinking, materials and systems, efficient resource use, human-centered solutions, and a community-centered capstone. Students learn sustainable engineering principles through studio work, prototyping, testing, and defense of design decisions.