The document describes the Sustainathon model used by Springfield Technical Community College to bring together students, industry, scientists, and community members to address sustainability challenges. The event aims to create awareness of current issues and integrated solutions. It is modeled after the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The 2019 Sustainathon focused on topics like biodiversity, food systems, water, recycling, and climate change. Teams of 4-6 students competed by developing strategies to solve a community challenge using the scientific method.

1. SUSTAINATHON MODEL: Enhancing Sustainability Efforts as an Engaged
Community
Reena Randhir, Ph.D and Robert Dickerman Ph.D,
Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield, MA.

2. OBJECTIVES
1. Bring students, industry stakeholders, scientists, and
community together to create awareness of current
sustainability challenges and solutions.
2. To create awareness of how decisions being made now
will shape the future sustainability of the region.
3. To educate future leaders in solving current challenges
using integrated sustainable solutions rather than
fragmented approaches that meet one goal at the expense
of others.

3. Event is Modeled after Sustainable
Development Goals- United Nations (2015)

4. OUR MODEL

5. SUSTAINATHON 2019
LEADERS1. Biodiversity Conservation: STCC
2. Food security and Food Justice: Neustras Raices/
Gardening the Community
3. Sustainable Food Systems: Change Makers-Hydroponics
4. Water: Springfield Water and Sewer Commission/ MA
DCR
5. Recycling: From Waste to Wealth- Recycling Works
6. Sustainable Agriculture: USDA
7. Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems: SWCA Environmental
8. Urban Forests: City of Springfield, US Forest Service
9. Wildlife Conservation: US Fish and Wildlife Service
10. Sustainable Architecture: UMASS- Green Buildings

6. 11. Climate Change: UMASS Climate Center
12. Waste Management: Center for Eco-Technology
13. Biomimicry: Hitchcock Center for the Environment
14. Sustainable Landscapes: STCC
15. Wearable Electronics: UMASS
16. Global Sustainability: Institute of Training and
Development
17. Fuel Efficient Automobiles: STCC
18. Sustainable Bee Keeping: UMASS
19. Clean Energy: STCC/ Alpine Solar
20. Urban Ecosystems: Regreen Springfield
21. Citizen Earth watch- MA National Guard
Sustainathon 2019 Leaders

7. Sustainable Agriculture

8. Water and Watersheds

9. Waste Management and
Recycling

10. Urban Ecosystems

11. Climate Change and Renewable Energy

12. Biodiversity and Biomimicry

13. Sustainathon Poster Competition
➢ This event consist of two concurrent parts. The
Sustainathon Interactive Exhibits and the
Sustainathon Competition.
➢ Teams 0f 4-6 students follow the scientific
method towards developing a sound hypothesis,
specific objectives, data collection, defensible
analysis, and propose improved strategies in
solving a community challenge.

14. Competition teams

15. more teams

16. CHAMPION OF CHANGE WINNER!

17. I HOPEThank You!
I hope you organize a Sustainathon in your
community.