JOIN-RISe Joint development of innovative blended learning in STEM curricula based on SDGs for a resilient, inclusive and sustainable education

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is one of the most ambitious and important global agreements in recent history. STEM education is essential for the achievement of the SDGs, but Univer...

The main objective of JOIN-RISe was to make higher education STEM students develop into citizens that are critical thinkers and are fully committed to the SDGs. In order to achieve this, it was crucial for there to be changes to current curricula and for the SDGs to be included in the teaching of STEM degrees. Evidently, lecturers are key players in meeting the project’s main objective. Therefore, the aim was to make STEM lecturers more aware of global challenges and the need to integrate values and ethics into their teaching to help students develop a sustainable mindset and to use science to do good in society. The SGDs were to be implemented by means of courses, optional subjects, adapting current subject contents by using tools, resources and blended learning methods specifically designed for university degrees. The students are also protagonists on the platform, with courses and subjects developed specifically for them. Additionally, it was intended to provide a database of Service-Learning projects and Bachelor’s and Master’s final dissertations related to SDGs in STEM, which would help students to put their knowledge and social commitment into practice.

For the training of lecturers and coordinators of Bachelor's and Master's degrees, two online courses have been developed. The first (for lecturers) includes material related to how to integrate the SDGs into current course content and the final degree project. The second one (for degree coordinators), shows how to integrate the SDGs into curricula. For the training of first-year undergraduate students, an introductory course entitled ‘My role as an undergraduate student and future professional with the SDGs’ has been developed. An elective subject for different degrees entitled "Architecture for the Future – A critical vision for leaders of tomorrow’s technical professions", and a Diploma with content on Sustainable Human Development has been prepared. The resources are accessible from a Virtual Learning Platform (VLP) to make them more digital, inclusive and innovative. On the platform is also available a database of Service-Learning projects and Bachelor's and Master's theses related to the SDGs in STEM. It has been design a guide to Higher Education institutions on how to implement the Certificate of Social Commitment and how to recognize at European level the skills acquired through of microcredentials.