Engineering for One Planet (EOP) strives to transform engineering education to equip all engineers with the skills, knowledge, and understanding they need to protect and improve our planet and our lives.
Over the past few months, we celebrated World Engineering Day, and EOP was represented at the Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit, HBCU Climate Change Conference, and other prominent convenings of the engineering and sustainability community. New EOP-related grantees and funding opportunities were announced, as well as updates on different ways to engage with and join the EOP Network.
Award Updates & Opportunities
NSF-Lemelson Foundation Grant Recipients
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with The Lemelson Foundation, announced the first five grants as part of a joint effort to foster the integration of sustainability consideration across engineering education. They are providing funding over three years for the Research in the Formation of Engineers (RFE) program to support engineering education projects aligned with the goals of Engineering for One Planet.
“These projects from the NSF-Lemelson initiative will help prepare engineering students to address complex challenges for our nation’s industry, infrastructure, and health,” said Susan Margulies, NSF Assistant Director for Engineering. “The curricula and training that result will empower and inspire engineering students to make a difference in their communities.”
Applications are open for Year 2 of the NSF-Lemelson Foundation EOP grants. Ideas for innovative curricular development or research are encouraged. Applicants must submit proposals by April 30, 2025 for consideration in NSF’s upcoming fiscal year.
We’re excited to announce the second year of the ABET and The Lemelson Foundation Engineering for One Planet Innovation in Sustainability Award. This is your chance to tell the world how an individual, program, or institution is integrating sustainability into engineering education in innovative and large-scale ways.
Contribute to the EOP Framework Revision
The EOP Framework is the cornerstone of the EOP initiative. The original draft was co-created by nearly 100 contributors in 2020 and went through extensive revisions for its launch in 2022. It’s time to make revisions again, and we want to hear from you! We’ll be collecting feedback on the EOP Framework through a variety of mechanisms in 2025, and we plan to make revisions and publish the revised version in 2026. You’re invited to contribute your feedback to improve the EOP Framework through this short survey. We look forward to hearing from you!
We’re excited to announce applications are now open! As a member, you’ll amplify your impact by connecting with like-minded individuals, collaborating on topics of interest, and deepening your knowledge of EOP implementation by sharing promising practices and challenges. Applications are open until April 7.
The EOP Network believes it’s critical to engage students in curricular change because they bring fresh, innovative perspectives and their own lived experiences as consumers of curriculum. This new program will enable students to advocate for sustainability in engineering education through resources and tools built for students.
Join the Student Ambassador Program
Are you a student who is interested in applying, or do you know a student who would be a great fit? Are you a faculty member who would be interested in supporting student ambassador work on your campus? Fill out our Interest/Nomination Form by Wednesday, April 30.
Celebrating World Engineering Day!
This month we celebrated engineering excellence on World Engineering Day (March 4) by recognizing that sustainability must be a key tenet of the profession. Senior Program Officer Cindy Pereira Cooper wrote an op-ed about EOP and the vital role of engineers in shaping our sustainable future. Visit our website to read the piece, and stay up-to-date with the latest news.
It’s time for EOP School! Join us on the beautiful Villanova University campus, May 12-15, 2025 for an in-person EOP professional development workshop where educators become students. Enhance your climate and sustainability expertise, learn to integrate cutting-edge sustainability topics into an engineering course of your choice, and network with colleagues from across the country. Limited spots remain.
Please join us in welcoming Hadley Willman, our new EOP Network Engagement Coordinator! She brings extensive sustainability expertise to support the EOP Network as we grow — including managing conferences, assessing sustainability literacy, and running a Climate Ambassador Program. She will also be leading the design of our new Student Ambassador Program!
The Quanser Sustainability Award is presented annually to celebrate exceptional academics and researchers dedicated to pioneering sustainable engineering practices. Meet the winner, Dr. Samyuktha Penta, and learn more about the Quanser Sustainability Award and her work. EOP Strategy Consultant Cindy Anderson represented EOP as a committee member for the award.
Based on feedback from our vibrant EOP community, we’re revamping the website! The new site will be easier to navigate — featuring teaching tools, funding info, best practices, events, evidence and value of impact, and more. Look for our new website at engineeringforoneplanet.org by late April!
March 27-29, Los Angeles, CA
ASME MEEd Summit
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ (ASME) Mechanical Engineering Education (MEEd) Summit brings together mechanical engineering educators and leaders to explore field challenges. EOP Network participant and strategy consultant Cindy Anderson debuts at MEEd, co-presenting with Leah Putman on Equipping Tomorrow’s Engineers: Integrating Sustainability into Engineering Education.
March 27-30, Akron, OH
Engineers for a Sustainable World Conference
Engineers for a Sustainable World Conference unites student engineers to tackle environmental and social challenges. EOP Network participants Emma Telepo, Jo Machesky, and Victoria Matthew (EOP Network Manager) will lead sessions on our new Student Ambassador Program and share a new student resource titled, “A Guide to Preparing For, Planning, and Creating Your Sustainability-Focused Career While You’re Still in College.” Visit us at the EOP booth!
April 3-4, San Diego, CA
ABET Symposium
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Symposium is a flagship event for accreditation, assessment, and sharing best practices. Cindy Anderson will lead a session on EOP teaching resources, then moderate a panel titled,”Working with Student Changemakers to Address the Green Skills Gaps in Engineering” with a professor, students, and recent graduates (including EOP Network participants Holly Rudel and Hadley Willman).
April 22 (Earth Day), 11:00 AM MDT or 11:00 AM CEST, Online
S.E.E. EARTH
Celebrate Earth Day with EOP’s inaugural Sustainability in Engineering Education (S.E.E.) for Earth. Join EOP Network participants Dustyn Roberts (UPenn) and Cindy Anderson along with other speakers aimed at uniting engineering and research leaders to share sustainability best practices and a vision for how to strengthen sustainability education. This is a virtual event with two programs in two time zones — register for one or both!
June 15-18, London, UK
EESD Conference
Engineering Education for Sustainable Development (EESD) is a biennial international conference uniting educators and academics dedicated to integrating sustainability into curricula. EOP Network participant Michael Milligan from ABET will deliver a keynote, while Cindy Anderson will share about the EOP initiative with resources in line with the theme, “Engineers as Changemakers.” Early bird registration ends April 28.
June 22-25, Montreal, Canada
ASEE Conference
The American Society for Engineering Education’s Annual Conference is the only event dedicated to all disciplines of engineering and engineering technology education. The conference attracts the largest selection of members from the diverse EOP community. Join us for dozens of panels and visit our EOP booth to learn about grants and free resources for integrating sustainability across engineering education. Early bird registration ends April 7.
February 2–4, Washington, DC
Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit
Cindy Pereira Cooper connected with university leaders working on sustainability and climate action.
February 5–6, Washington, DC
Higher Education’s Path to Climate Resilience Workshop
Cindy Pereira Cooper participated in a public workshop and scoping session to examine the role of higher education in advancing sustainability and climate action.
February 3–7, Virtual
Climate Solutions Now Conference
At California Polytechnic State University’s 4th virtual climate change conference, EOP Network Coordinator Hadley Willman organized a session with EOP Network participant Emma Telepo and EOP Network Manager Victoria Matthew where they discussed EOP, the benefits of student engagement in curricular change, and the early-stage design of the EOP Student Ambassador Program.
March 5–9, New Orleans, LA
HBCU Climate Change Conference
Cindy Pereira Cooper attended the HBCU Climate Change Conference. Hosted by the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, in collaboration with the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, the conference brought middle school, high school, and HBCU students together with environmental justice leaders and faculty to explore actionable steps for making a difference on climate change.
March 13, Online
Work on Climate Webinar
Cindy Anderson led an interactive webinar where she shared her sustainability career journey spanning from penguins to people, discussing transferable skills and how she has applied them in her own career.