Event: STCC Sustainathon 2026, April 15th, 10 am- 12:30 pm.

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Sustainability is an emerging concept in STEM education, research, and industry. With a goal of training students in innovative concepts and approaches in infusing sustainability into STEM subjects, the Sustainathon program at STCC will integrate STCC students, high schools, communities, professionals, and educational institutions in integrating information and technology for STEM learning, discovery, and exploring solutions under a sustainability framework. We propose the new STCC Sustainathon as an educational, campus-wide event that brings together professionals, scientists, the community, and high schools to interact with STCC students and faculty on STEM Sustainability topics. The focus is on Environmental Sustainability.

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Objective: The general objective of this program is to create excitement and awareness on the significance of sustainability in STEM subjects, practical challenges in sustainability, and career opportunities in this emerging field of STEM.

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Methods: The program will use a combination of team-based research by students, direct interaction with professionals on the Earth Day, competition for innovative solutions, hands-on experience in environmental sustainability, and presentations.  A conceptual representation is presented in the figure below.

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A significant aspect of this Sustainathon is the Sustainability Challenge Competition, open to STCC students, high school students and our community. This competition will provide a platform for sustainability enthusiasts to execute their skills, creativity, and knowledge for the common good. 

 

This competition moreover adds the engaging element of gaining community recognition and winning!  

 

 A stipend of $500 per participating school will be allotted to the high school teacher to oversee the project that spans from January 2026 to April 2026. Additional professional guidance will be provided to these school’s teams by UMASS professor, Dr. Timothy Randhir. Community outreach will be made through partners such as Regreen Springfield and Greentown labs.

 

Each school team will choose from a list of STEM sustainability challenges provided for their project. They will be asked to follow the scientific method in their inquiry which will be provided to them as a criteria sheet. Each team will present a poster on Earth Day to an audience that will include a set of judges who will score each team. Top three high schools will be recognized with a trophy and all other participants will receive certificates and gifts during a final ceremony.

 

The poster presentation, demonstration stations, and final ceremonies on April 15th between 10 am and 12:30 pm will join with the worldwide efforts on environmental sustainability, coinciding with Earth Day.  All STCC students, local schools, citizens, and professionals are invited to the Earth Day celebration at the STCC Campus. 

 

The event aims to promote education in STEM sustainability and to explore sustainable practices by decision-makers and students in their own institutions, schools, homes, and communities.

 

Some topics include reducing our carbon footprint, industrial ecology, urban ecology, water conservation, soil sciences, sustainable industrial design, life-cycle assessment, recycling education, renewable energy, ecological economics, adaptation to climate change, soild waste, applications of biomimicry, urban design of natural spaces, innovative technologies, biosystems engineering, systems analysis, and mathematical modeling.