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Sustainable Design Opportunities & Events

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  • Climate Activism for the Graphic Designer 101 by Professor Eric Benson

  • Join a Student Sustainability Committee Working Group!

    Most people who get involved with SSC start through membership in a working group. The Student Sustainability Committee has identified five focus areas for sustainability improvements on campus. Working groups will explore possible projects for future funding within each focus area (Education, Energy, Food & Waste, Land & Water, Transportation). Initial meetings are held October 5th-10th.

  • Madelyn Craft, Student Advisor to First Campus Landscape Master Plan for the University of Illinois

    Earlier this week, the Chancellor shared the inaugural Campus Landscape Master Plan. We are elated to note that Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design student, Madelyn Craft served as student advisor for the plan! 

     

     

  • WEGE PRIZE 2021: Design for a Circular Economy

    Wege Prize is an annual competition that ignites game-changing solutions for the future by inspiring college/university students around the world to collaborate across institutional, disciplinary, and cultural boundaries to redesign the way economies work.  Participants contend for over $30,000 in total cash prizes, all while helping to show the world what the future of problem-solving looks like. TEAM APPLICATION DUE 11/9/2020. 

  • FRED S. BAILEY SCHOLARSHIP FOR CAUSE DRIVEN LEADERS

    The Bailey Undergraduate awards are $3000 awards ($1500/semester) given each year to undergraduate students at UIUC who have demonstrated positive impact and commitment as a result of service, community involvement, leadership, and action. Financial need and academic achievement will also be considered. Application deadline: February 28. Note: A Sustainable Design major was awarded this scholarship once already, you could be next!

  • Paid Research Internship on Art Ecology in New Mexico, summer 2021

    Apply between Dec 1 and Feb 12.  The goals of the selected Art Research Experiences for Undergraduates (Art REUs) will be to observe and interpret the ecology, research, and landscape of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico through the creation of artistic works (e.g., photography, painting, sculpture, videos).  These artworks will be used to cultivate the understanding among the general public in studying, restoring, and protecting the ecology and landscapes present within the SNWR. Lodging is provided. A $6,000 stipend and $500 food allowance also provided, with some travel costs and material costs provided.

  • Social Media for Climate Activism Lead

    The Center for Environmental Policy at Bard College has an opening to coordinate social media promotion of a project called Solve Climate By 2030, www.solveclimateby2030.org and an associated campaign to #makeclimateaclass.  Engage with over a hundred students from colleges across the world as well as the US who will participate in the practicum and promote the project.

  • Tree City USA Conference.

    The Arbor Day Foundation is organizing a Tree City USA Virtual Conference, divided into hour-long presentations on three Wednesdays in February. The conference will foster connections between Tree City USA communities and advance urban and community forestry work around the country, to address climate change, environmental justice, and sustainable urban development. Registration is free for all Tree City/Campus USA communities and campuses (use the code "treecity").11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. | Wednesdays, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, Feb. 24 | Register

     

  • image of the sustainable student committee call for board members and step 1 project proposals

    Opportunities for Sustainability Leadership and Support for Projects!

    The Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) is looking for board members for the 2023-24 academic year. 

    Also, the application for Step 1 projects is open until March 24.

    Click the image to learn more >>>>>

  • Save the Date! TED Talk: Eco-Edition

    7-8 p.m. | Thursday, April 29 | Register  Join us for a "TED Talk: Eco-Edition" to celebrate Earth Month, focusing on environmental activism. Together, participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk, presented in July 2020 by Xiye Bastida: "If you adults won't save the world, we will." Afterward, all are invited to participate in a guided discussion and roundtable.

  • 'Manufacturing for a Sustainable Future.’ Lecture

    Join John Sutherland, a leading authority on the application of sustainability principles to industrial issues, as he discusses three decades of research to reduce the environmental footprint of manufacturing and explore its social impacts. Sutherland is Professor and the Fehsenfeld Family Head of the Department of Environmental and Ecological Engineering at Purdue University. The lecture will take place via Zoom webinar link Passcode 909454 on April 13 at 10 a.m.  

  • Climate Designers Midwest Chapter Trivia Night!

    Thu, April 29, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Prof. Benson encourages SD students to attend this fun event for networking and prizes! You must RSVP ahead of time to attend. Teams will be randomly assigned so students can network with regional design professionals who are interested in or dedicated to lighting the climate crisis through design!

  • Joint BSSD/Master of Urban Planning 4 +1 program approved

    Effective Fall 2021, BSSD students will be eligible for an accelerated 1-year MUP in Urban Planning graduate program. Catalog requirements are here and future website will be here. In fall of students' junior year, an invitation will be offered to qualified students. Contact Prof. Schneider at ddws@illinois.edu to discuss further!

  • Renewable Energy Markets™ (REM™) Conference 2021

    The first 100 students to register are free to attend. Learn the key industry issues, players, and products that make up the green power market, clean energy space, and retail renewable market. Online Sept 27-30.

  • virtual Dieline Conference (sustainable package design industry)

    Sept 14 - 15, virtual. $299 cost. Impressive lineup of speakers and a great networking opportunity for those interested in sustainable packaging, regenerative design, and learning about various sustainable agencies. 

  • Solar Urbana-Champaign Virtual Solar Power Hour

    Join us for a virtual Solar Power Hour from the comfort of your couch! Register here. Offered by the City of Urbana, Prairie Rivers Network, and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. Home and business owners throughout Champaign, Piatt, or Vermilion county have an opportunity to participate in Solar Urbana-Champaign, a grassroots program combining volume purchasing with community education to make solar more accessible and affordable. You’ll learn about the basics of solar, its financial implications for a household, and how the solar group buy program works. To learn more visit www.SolarUrbanaChampaign.com 

    Hosted by Solar Urbana-Champaign Prairie Rivers Network The Midwest Renewable Energy Association Urbana, Illinois - City Government StraightUp Solar Allerton Park and Retreat Center

  • Everyday Environment: Watershed Planning.

    In this installment of the monthly webinar series from U of I Extension, learn how Illinois conservation professionals are working with local stakeholders to preserve our natural resources. "Watershed Planning: Helping Communities Meet Their Water Resource Goals" will be presented by Extension Watershed Outreach Associate Jennifer Jones. The webinar is presented every second Thusday, with future sessions on solar energy, composting, and squirrels!1-2 p.m. | Thursday, Sept. 10 | Register

  • Building Stuff: Materials From the Earth That Sustain Our Built Environment

    Building Stuff: Materials From the Earth That Sustain Our Built Environment

    Concrete in sidewalks, brick in buildings, and glass in windows are derived from rocks and sediments, but use of these materials comes at an environmental cost. Join Professor Emeritus Stephen Marshak, former Director of the School of Earth, Society and Environment, as he kicks off his three-part lecture series, "Where Stuff Comes From: Earth's Resources & Sustainability." 

    September 29, 12–1 pm • Zoom | Password 758636

    Julie Wurth Asmussen • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

  • Madhu Classroom

    Environmental Leadership Program

    The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a cutting-edge program launched by the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The program is designed to prepare Illinois undergraduates for leadership roles in the sustainability field.

    The ELP focuses on developing the students’ communications skills around environmental problems, mobilizing social resources, and implementing plans for sustainable change. The program also provides students with networking opportunities with leaders in various fields in the environmental domain. This will prepare students for careers in both the public and private sectors. The introduction of the ELP is one of the key educational objectives in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) 2020.

    After piloting two successful workshops in Spring 2021 focused on environmental policy and corporate sustainability, iSEE is launching the first version of the program in Spring 2022! Participants will learn about the policy-building process at the local and state levels, develop real-world environmental policies linked to the current legislative session, engage with local and state government officials, and present their policy proposals to an audience of legislative staff and decision-makers in Springfield and Urbana-Champaign.

     

  • iSee

    2021 RFP: iSEE Offers Seed Funding for Interdisciplinary Research Teams

    The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) is announcing a call for proposals to support interdisciplinary research projects on topics related to sustainability, energy, and environment. The iSEE seed funds are available to promote research collaborations among faculty and scientists across campus that will improve their potential for attracting external support.The goal of the funding is to enable interdisciplinary research teams working in any of the five thematic areas of interest to iSEE to collect preliminary data or other information and to develop a strong proposal that can be submitted for external funding through the Institute in 2022-23.The proposal must involve applicants from at least two different disciplines and two different departments and is limited to a maximum of $30,000 for a year. The key factors that will be considered in the selection process include:Scholarly merit, innovation, and substantive interdisciplinarity of the proposed research;Need for collaboration and how well the team is suited to tackle the problem at hand;Potential impact of the proposed research initiative on the field;Potential to develop a large-scale (>$1M), externally funded research program;Productivity of the applicants and quality of their scholarship;Comprehensive plan to pursue external funding with identified opportunities which the applicants will pursue; andThe fit to at least one of iSEE’s five research themes and interest in a longer-term engagement with iSEE to develop research programs in this area.Successful applicants will be expected to submit external funding proposals related to this seed funding through iSEE in 2022-23. iSEE will provide personnel support for proposal development and post-award management for projects that receive external grants to a competitive external funding source over the course of the following year. Recipients will also work with iSEE to communicate the findings of their research, publications, and other outcomes through the Institute website on an ongoing basis. Support will be provided in the form of a research assistantship for graduate students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, postdoc time, data purchase, and/or travel.iSEE will provide administrative support for development of large proposals. Successful external funding proposals submitted through iSEE will not affect indirect cost recovery to the home department of the PI.

  • BAILEY GLOBAL SCHOLARS

    A 7-month program designed to help University of Illinois students grow as responsible and engaged global citizens by supporting critical reflection, dialogue, and action across differences of culture and power. Bailey Global Scholars will participate in an online "Education through Global Engagement" program during the Spring 2021 semester culminating in a volunteer immersion (virtual or in person) capstone experience during Summer 2021. Participants will receive a $1000 scholarship for Spring '21. Applications accepted October 5 - November 8.

  • Sustainable Design Social Event Flyer - Details match text description

    October Events 10/26 Today and 10/27 Tomorrow!

    The end of October features several events for Sustainable Design students! Sustainable Design Student Social onThursday, Oct. 26, 5:30 - 7:30P and Career Services Preparation for Graduate School workshop on Friday, Oct. 27, 2:00 - 3:00P. Click to view details. 

  • GIS Day

    GIS DAY 2021

    Nov 17, 11am. Virtual & Illini Union. Geographic information science and systems (GIS) and geospatial technologies are applied across disciplines. This hybrid event will begin with a virtual student poster session followed by an in-person keynote by CS prof. Arindam Banerjee, career panel, and poster award ceremony. RSVP & Student Poster submissions (by 11/14).

  • Greener Campus Workshop

    Join us for this interactive workshop to learn more about iSEE's Certified Greener Campus Programs and how you can make your office, events, student organization, or fraternity/sorority more sustainable!4-5 p.m. | Thursday, Jan. 21 | Zoom link (Password 949274)

  • Illinois Enactus Information Night

    Join us Monday, February 8th at 7:00 pm via Zoom conference to learn more about the mission of Illinois Enactus. We strive to contribute to sustainable development goals all around the world. Groups of students from all majors develop collaborative business ventures that work towards social, economic, and environmental equality in all communities. We encourage all majors to apply to join our projects to eliminate waste, provide quality education, tackle social injustice, and more. 

  • Summer Internships: Your Hometown

    Here are recommended places to check for local jobs and internships for summer, when wanting to stay in your hometown: City/Village Offices & Department employment pages; City Park District; County Forest Preserve District; Local design firms; County Green groups/projects; Local corporations with sustainability in the news; Non-profit organizations; Arboretums or Nature Centers. Keep in mind YOU might bring some knowledge in sustainability to a role or you might bring more of the design element to a role. Think about the skills you can gain in different types of roles! Searching for these will take researching on the specific websites, not relying on google or handshake.

  • Apply for a Summer 2021 Project Team with the Community-Academic Scholars Initiative

    This initiative matches undergraduates with a faculty mentor and a community partner to address issues affecting our community. This year’s program includes 14 powerful projects from faculty across the University of Illinois that address a range of topics, including the impacts of COVID-19, poverty and social inequality, physical activity, and the role that forest preserves play in community and individual health.

     

  • Illinois Part-Time Job Fair

    The Illinois Part-Time Job Fair is open to all students on campus seeking opportunities to make some extra money and build their career competencies while completing their academics. Opportunities at this fair are paid, non-technical positions on campus or in the Champaign/Urbana community. This is a virtual fair run through Handshake on February 2 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Register for sessions using the link above. 

     

  • iSEE Launches Environmental Leadership Program; 2 Pilot Workshops Scheduled for Spring 2021 Semester

    iSEE is piloting two ELP workshops in Spring 2021: March 24 on environmental policy; and April 13 on corporate sustainability. Up to 25 students may register for each event, which are scheduled on campus non-instructional break days.

  • Architecture as a Social Act lecture

    Tatiana Bilbao received the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture Prize by the LOCUS Foundation in 2014 and will share her work integrating social values, collaboration and sensitive design approaches to architectural work. Monday February 1 from 5:00 – 6:30pm. Register in advance to attend.

  • Seminar on the Water Industry: Microplastics Create Mega Questions

    February 24, 12–1 pM. Cayla Cook is an expert on microplastic contamination in water and wastewater. Join this lecture on the significant challenges for truly understanding the occurrence and fate of microplastics in water and wastewater treatment, storage, and distribution.

  • Showcase your Art in SCD

    Get a chance to showcase your art in the main gallery of the Siebel Center for Design! We are recruiting student artists to create a mural showcasing sustainability initiatives and green technology research being pursued on the University of Illinois campus. Project Duration: Spring 2022-Fall 2022

    yjk4@illinois.edu

  • Clean Production

    Tools for Safer Chemicals—from Chemicals to Products to Organizations

    Demand for inherently safer chemicals in products and manufacturing operations is on the rise. Consumers, institutional purchasers, and retailers want products made with safer chemicals. Brands are requiring suppliers to avoid hazardous chemicals and use safer alternatives. Investors prefer companies that commit to reducing their chemical footprint. And governments are restricting the use of hazardous chemicals in products. This session will explore tools for: Identifying chemicals of concern and safer chemicals; Identifying products made with safer chemicals; Creating organizational capacity to move ahead of regulatory compliance in chemicals management.

    Feb 25, 2021   12:00 - 1:00 pm  Register here

  • iSEE

    Apply for Sustainability Internships!

    Are you an Illinois student interested in promoting sustainability? iSEE has several internships opening up for 2021-22, including one to help develop the next generation of a sustainability training video for the campus (graduate student preferred); multiple positions to support iSEE programs and the campus sustainability mission; and on the Communications team (sophomore or junior preferred).

     

  • internships

    What internships or jobs can you get with a B.S. in Sustainable Design?

    View a March 2021 recorded session with Prof. Schneider, Asst. Dean Turner, Assoc. Dir. Rundell discussing opportunities for Sustainable Design majors.

  • career fair

    Illini Career & Internship Fair

    Illini Career & Internship Fair is on Thursday, April 1st from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm virtually in Handshake!

     

    Register here for the Illini Career & Internship Fair, where you will have the chance to sign up for one-on-one and group sessions. This is your chance to speak directly with employers about job and internship opportunities! Registration in advance is required.

  • Eco Careers Conference

    Sign up now for the NWF EcoCareers Conference on April 7-8. Follow the link and go to "Get Ticket" > "Ticket Types" > "Campus Sponsor Student, then select University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from the drop down list. Be sure to use your school email address on the registration page. 

  • SECS Earth Week 2021

    Join the Students for Environmental Concerns all week long from April 17th - 23rd for events that help us come together for our planet! View their Facebook page for more information on these events. 

  • Green Quad Day

    Main Quad

    Friday, April 22nd (Earth Day)

    11am-3pm

    Join the Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC) and a bevy of student environmental organizations on the Main Quad

    Organizer: Student Sustainability Leadership Council

    We would highly recommend you all attend so that you can learn about Green organizations and opportunities on campus!

  • Earth Month Trash Pick-Up

    Join iSEE and Facilities & Services to help beautify our campus by picking up trash and putting it in the appropriate bins (this event was originally scheduled for April 8)3-4:30 p.m. | Friday, April 29 | Meet at Alma Mater statue

  • Chicago City, Park District, & Forest Preserve Job/Internship/Volunteer Opportunities PART 2

    City of Chicago Internships and Volunteer Programs (24 internships posted as of 4.22.21); LVEJO (Leadership Development for the Sustainable Self-Determination of Little Village) internship programForest Preserves of Cook County Volunteer (Nature Ambassador, Ecological Stewardship, Nature Centers) and Jobs (none right now); Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Internship Program (postponed right now)  

  • Internships in IL with upcoming deadlines

    Conservation Education Rep at Starved Rock State Park due May 3; Education Content Intern (remote) at the World Wildlife Fund; Chicago Healthy Schools CampaignSeasonal Environmental Education Asst. at Lake Forest Open Lands Association due May 14; Environment Art Internship (Fall) at Epic Games due Aug 31;

     

  • Enter Environmental Writing Contest!

    Are you an eco-warrior with a passion for prose? Send us your best environmental writing for a chance to be published in Q Magazine and win a cash prize! Submissions will be accepted starting July 1! Entries must be 1,000 to 2,000 words and will be accepted through Sept. 30, 2021. Email submissions or questions to qmagazineillinois@gmail.com, and visit the Q website to read winning entries from last year's contest!

  • International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) online workshops about CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT (BSSD is a STEM major for OPT!)

    Are your international students interested in gaining work experience in the U.S.?  Do they have questions about work authorization options? Please forward the following information about our online workshops and virtual office hours:

    Looking to learn more about Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), or STEM OPT?

    International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) now offers online workshops about CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT for students interested in working in the U.S. Student workshops are posted on our media space channel, which can be found by clicking here.  Still have questions?  We invite you to join us for virtual office hours on Tuesdays @11 and Fridays @2pm.  More information about our offerings, including a full schedule of office hour sessions is available on our website: www.isss.illinois.edu

  • AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate

    The AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate program offers individuals the opportunity to become engaged in a community through an existing AmeriCorps VISTA project for 8, 9, or 10 weeks during the summer starting in May and ending no later than early September. Members can choose between a Segal Education Award (valued at approximately $6,000) to pay for a range of education expenses or a $1,800 cash stipend. 

  • 2021 We CU Community Engaged Scholars program

    Make a positive impact in the community, build your resume, and fulfill your passion for helping others this summer with the We CU Community Engaged Scholars program. Whether you track the service hours you are already doing, choose from our virtual volunteer opportunities, or develop your own community-based project, We CU provides recognition, support, and training opportunities to enrich your service work and expand your professional skillset. Learn more during an information session at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2. Register for the info session even if you cannot attend to receive a link to the recording and next steps, and priority notification of access to service & leadership opportunities. 

  • Spring 2021 is over, share your designs and projects!

    We would love to see your student work from this semester, for use on the website, in presentations, or just to showcase the awesome projects you have completed- Submit a file or web link here!

  • Illinois Solar Farm 2.0

    Construction is underway on Solar Farm 2.0, between First Street and U.S. Route 45, next to the Village of Savoy. ☀️

    The array will produce 20,000 MWh annually, almost tripling the university’s existing on-site renewable energy generation.😎

    https://go.fs.illinois.edu/solarnews

  • Resume Writing tips from the IL Career Center

    If you’re a sophomore, it’s important to have a good foundation and if you’re a junior you should be getting it ready for dissemination in the spring!

    https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/instructable/write-your-resume

  • Follow Professor Eric Benson...

    www.climatedesigners.org

    www.re-nourish.org

    www.freshpress.studio … follow me on Instagram @freshpresspaper !