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Youth Council on Sustainable Science and Technology (YCOSST)

The Institute for Sustainability (IfS) an American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Technological Community has partnered with SustainUS  to form the Youth Council on Sustainable Science and Technology (YCOSST).  YCCOST's mission is to create an understanding about sustainability issues and principals, raise awareness of the science and technology behind sustainable choices, and develop grass root campus efforts.

Our Goals

  • Enhance the capacity of emerging students
  • Bolster existing educational infrastructures
  • Provide resources to fill existing gaps in sustainable science and technology curriculum
  • Utilize innovative organizational structure and national network to disseminate resources
  • Establish interdisciplinary connections between students, faculty, and administrators

Our Activities

Promotion of Sustainable Research

Students are provided the informational resources and faculty connections necessary for student-driven research.  Methodologies for conducting research on sustainable topics in a sustainable manner will be disseminated.  In development - a handbook guiding students through the process of research from initial construction of a support system to publication of findings.

Establishing Sustainable Education

Through collaborative relationships and internal development, YCOSST aims to strengthen existing and create new sustainable educational infrastructures.  Initials efforts focus on informal education and the creation of relationships with educational organizations of similar goals.  As both YCOSST's national network and member campuses gain strength, efforts to introduce sustainability into engineering and science curriculums will be launched.

This Website

The launch of this website is a crucial step in the development of YCOSST.  In the coming months it will develop into an informational clearing house and interactive portal that will link students to resources, professors, and their peers.  YCOSST members will be able to discuss sustainable projects and issues, seek advice, and form collaborations.  Often, sustainable research awareness is limited to publications and conferences - our website aims to change this.
 
YCOSST Organizational Structure (Membership)

YCOSST will operate on a national level, with three types of membership:

1. General membership will be open to any interested individuals

  • Register email address and school on YCOSST website
  • Facilitate identification of active campuses

2. Council representatives: one student and one professor from each campus.

  • Election process will determined by campus group
  • Liaisons between national Council and campus network

3. Steering committee will have representatives from:

  • Related, academic disciplines
  • Industry
  • SustainUS's Citizen Science program

Regardless of an under-served sustainability niche, most campuses have a plethora of student organizations.  As a result, YCOSST membership only requires the commitment of one student and one faculty representative.  Students are encouraged to establish YCOSST member groups when needed, but not required when sufficient member and organizational infrastructures already exist.

YCOSST Resources

Youth Council -

  • Hub that provides the tools to promote sustainability research and education at member campuses.
  • Organizing body that has  infrastructure necessary for continuity of long term efforts
  • Provides legitimacy to student base organizations to conduct research and secure funding
  • Provides a sounding board for member organizations in the dialogue on sustainability
  • At the campus level, create a resource to help students to conduct sustainable research
  • Guidelines for establishing a student organization
  • Guidelines for developing for sustainable research projects
  • Guidelines conducting sustainable research
  • Promote sustainability education at member schools
  • Host speakers and hold seminars
  • Incorporate sustainability issues into existing curriculum and coursework
  • Establish sustainability courses
  • Provide a vehicle for sustainable outreach to others

Get Involved!

Your membership is crucial to the building of grassroots efforts that will influence curriculum and ultimately lead to the incorporation of sustainability concepts in all research.  Through our efforts we can foster graduates that understand the concepts of sustainability, embrace them, and bring them to all future endeavors.

YCOSST Leadership:

Chair: Ellyn Beary   Co-Chair:  Katelyn Keefe    Co-Chair: Marco Calstaldi

For more information contact - ifs@aiche.org