Transforming Resource Management Education: A Student-Centered Approach

This project enhances the learning experience across the Environmental Engineering Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, with a specific focus on waste management, waste recycling technology, circular economy, and ecological systems design. Sustainable resource management is a core aspect of environmental engineering.

Up to now, courses covering this topic were taught in isolation and were not aligned in terms of content and learning goals. The aim of this project is therefore to align the content and goals of three courses related to resource management in order to support effective competence development.

In addition to subject-specific competences, the project integrates transferable competences – including social, personal, and methodological skills – into the curriculum, equipping students to address interdisciplinary challenges.

The project emphasizes a student-centered, active learning approach, supported by integrated assessment techniques that foster engagement and provide meaningful feedback.

Furthermore, to promote active learning and interdisciplinary integration, the project develops materials that students can use to deepen their knowledge (potentially using digital or AI-supported tools).

This cohesive and engaging concept equips future engineers with the interdisciplinary skills and expertise needed, while facilitating a successful transition within the PAKETH initiative. It serves as a blueprint for student-centered learning at ETH and provides showcases for integrated learning assessments.

The first aim is to align all courses on waste management and circular economy.
The alignment targets subject-specific competence development, integrating both foundational and advanced engineering principles, as well as personal competences.

Secondly, the project aims at an active, student-centered approach to learning.
To support this, learning materials will be developed that encourage active learning throughout the semester in all three targeted courses. In addition, materials for self-regulated learning will be created to strengthen fundamental methodological competences.

The third goal is to develop an overview of integrated assessment techniques
that foster active learning and provide students with meaningful feedback on their progress.

This project is innovative in its holistic approach to course alignment, integrating subject-specific and personal competences. By fostering interdisciplinary skills alongside technical knowledge, it prepares students for real-world challenges and links active learning with integrated assessment techniques. Digital solutions for self-learning complement competence development, offering flexible ways to reinforce key concepts and support individual learning progress. Integrated assessment techniques ensure fair and actionable feedback, promoting deeper engagement and enhancing students’ problem-solving abilities. The use of student-focused learning materials, designed to support both in-class activities and self-study, helps bridge knowledge gaps and strengthens foundational understanding.