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Archived

There are multiple versions of these figures. Rather than deleting, I am archiving these.

The versions created on/after Sept 1, 2025 can be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bWrWAPdMr96KhD60Cxm1YJYWWFgCbbaP0oy_vpFKrag/edit?slide=id.g379d3b9fc92_0_1#slide=id.g379d3b9fc92_0_1

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Possible Student Roles in Action Oriented Pedagogies

Artist

Creates novel aesthetic artworks or performances applying elements and principles of art in various mediums to express, inspire, and motivate actions, perceptions, and beliefs

Examples�

Compose and record a piece of music representing the beauty and fragility of a local ecosystem
Host a screening for a student-created animated film that illustrates the causes and effects of climate change
Invite peers or community members to draw collaboratively in public spaces, creating evolving collective artwork that expresses multiple perspectives on environmentally and socially just futures
Build living sculptures made from biodegradable materials embedded with seeds that will sprout and grow
Write futures narratives to inspire others to imagine preferred, socially and environmentally just futures
Create and auction off art pieces to raise funds for environmental causes
Upcycle t-shirts into stylish and functional reusable bags, reducing plastic and repurposing clothes that might otherwise be discarded

Solutions Steward

Sustains innovations, continues solutions, and/or ensures ongoing implementation.

Uses problem-solving, strategic thinking, and resilience to adapt social or physical systems or artifacts as needed to maintain and/or ensure adaptation over time for continued optimization of effective actions

Examples

Adapt a classroom recycling program that has become ineffective and underutilized, using feedback solicited from intended users increase participation in recycling
Conduct an assessment of a garden irrigation system, identifying where water is being wasted and addressing it by adjusting as needed
Build on a previously established student-led cafeteria composting program created for 4th and 5th grades, expanding it to include younger grades
Maintain and strengthen interpersonal relationships with community members, across grade levels, and across diverse campuses to support and expand sustainability efforts beyond an academic school year

BY MICHELLE JORDAN, ANDREA E. WEINBERG, & NICOLE OSTER │ October 2024 │<<add URL>>

Innovator

Designs and potentially prototypes technological innovations and engineering solutions by applying creativity, technical expertise, disciplinary knowledge, and strategic thinking to drive meaningful change across products and systems

Examples

Design a solar panel racking system for a community installation
Create an app that connects local food producers with people in food deserts, promoting access to fresh, healthy food
Develop a proposal to reduce waste at school and present it to district decision makers
Organize or participate in sustainability-themed hackathons where youth develop innovative solutions to environmental challenges
Design and prototype eco-friendly products to sell at a sustainability fair or community market
Design and prototype a solar-powered communication network aimed at providing resilient, independent communication channels for communities facing natural disasters
Develop a low-cost, portable water filtration system that can be used in communities with limited access to clean water

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Possible Student Roles in Action Oriented Pedagogies

Advocate

Mobilizes sustainability and climate knowledge using effective communication and group organizing skills to catalyze or accelerate informed action

Examples

Create and distribute an infographic that effectively communicates to inspire peers and community members to conserve water
Promote and educate about how to use a recycling bin in the classroom
Promote bike-to-school days to encourage sustainable transportation
Create a “museum” or gallery with didactic wall panels for student-led tours that emphasize the principles of systems thinking, demonstrating how various disciplines and sectors work together to address complex problems.
Engage in a virtual exchange with student(s), learning from each other’s experiences and cultural approaches to promoting ecological and social wellbeing
Partner with local organizations, businesses, and governmental agencies to advocate for green practices
Organize clothing swap events to promote the reuse of clothing items and reduce waste from fast fashion

BY MICHELLE E. JORDAN, ANDREA E. WEINBERG, & NICOLE OSTER │ October 2024 │<<add URL>>

Implementer|Builder|

Maker

Puts existing solutions, practices, plans, representations, or approaches in place using technical proficiencies, project management strategies, and interpersonal skills to implement viable solutions and strategic actions

Examples

Construct a school garden with input from the community (e.g., students, teachers, families) and based on geographic conditions
Install a rainwater harvesting barrel
Build air purifiers using simple materials like fans and HEPA filters to improve indoor air quality
Create models of green roofs using plants and sustainable materials
Build portable phone chargers using small solar panels
Construct solar ovens to cook food using sunlight
Collaborate with local organizations and communities to build safe, accessible, and sustainable parks or community centers equipped for natural disasters using sustainable materials

Scientist

Analyzes and synthesizes credible sources and interprets new data.

Uses systematic methods of inquiry to inform inquiries and knowledge generation relevant to guiding action in particular communities and contexts

Examples

Use a climate change simulation tool to analyze and synthesize credible sources and new data to inform local climate resilience initiatives
Participate in a community or citizen science project to monitor local water quality
Conduct community ethnography to identify energy needs and values
Design and conduct experiments: collect and analyze local environmental data
Gather observational data of campus plant and animal species to generate actionable recommendations for enhancing schoolyard biodiversity
Conduct and interpret a survey to help inform decisions about transportation alternatives
Take soil samples from local public spaces and analyze pollution levels with scientists to develop awareness and make recommendations

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Possible Student Roles in Action Oriented Pedagogies

Scientist

Analyzes and synthesizes credible sources and interprets new data.

Uses systematic methods of inquiry to inform inquiries and knowledge generation to guide action in particular communities and contexts

Innovator

Designs and potentially prototypes technological innovations and engineering solutions by applying creativity, technical expertise, disciplinary knowledge, and strategic thinking to drive meaningful change across products and systems

BY MICHELLE E. JORDAN, ANDREA E. WEINBERG, & NICOLE OSTER │ October 2024 │https://figshare.com/articles/online_resource/_b_Introducing_Roles_for_Action_Oriented_Pedagogies_b_/25893274?file=46522831

Implementer|Builder|

Maker

Puts existing solutions, practices, plans, representations, or approaches in place using technical proficiencies, project management strategies, and interpersonal skills to implement viable solutions and strategic actions

Artist

Creates novel aesthetic artworks or performances applying elements and principles of art in various mediums to express, inspire, and motivate actions, perceptions, and beliefs

Solutions Steward

Sustains innovations, continues solutions, and/or ensures ongoing implementation. Uses problem-solving, strategic thinking, and resilience to adapt social or physical systems to maintain optimization of effective actions

Advocate

Mobilizes sustainability and climate knowledge using effective communication and group organizing skills to catalyze or accelerate informed action

5 of 7

Possible Student Roles in Action Oriented Pedagogies

Advocate

Mobilizes sustainability and climate knowledge using effective communication and group organizing skills to catalyze or accelerate informed action

Scientist

Analyzes and synthesizes credible sources and interprets new data.

Uses systematic methods of inquiry to inform inquiries and knowledge generation relevant to guiding action in particular communities and contexts

Examples

Create and distribute an infographic that effectively communicates to inspire peers and community members to conserve water
Promote and educate about how to use a recycling bin in the classroom
Promote bike-to-school days to encourage sustainable transportation
Create a “museum” or gallery with didactic wall panels for student-led tours that emphasize the principles of systems thinking, demonstrating how various disciplines and sectors work together to address complex problems.
Engage in a virtual exchange with student(s), learning from each other’s experiences and cultural approaches to promoting ecological and social wellbeing
Partner with local organizations, businesses, and governmental agencies to advocate for green practices
Organize clothing swap events to promote the reuse of clothing items and reduce waste from fast fashion

Examples

Use a climate change simulation tool to analyze and synthesize credible sources and new data to inform local climate resilience initiatives
Participate in a community or citizen science project to monitor local water quality
Conduct community ethnography to identify energy needs and values
Design and conduct experiments: collect and analyze local environmental data
Gather observational data of campus plant and animal species to generate actionable recommendations for enhancing schoolyard biodiversity
Conduct and interpret a survey to help inform decisions about transportation alternatives
Take soil samples from local public spaces and analyze pollution levels with scientists to develop awareness and make recommendations

Innovator

Designs and potentially prototypes technological innovations and engineering solutions by applying creativity, technical expertise, disciplinary knowledge, and strategic thinking to drive meaningful change across products and systems

Examples

Design a solar panel racking system for a community installation
Create an app that connects local food producers with people in food deserts, promoting access to fresh, healthy food
Develop a proposal to reduce waste at school and present it to district decision makers
Organize or participate in sustainability-themed hackathons where youth develop innovative solutions to environmental challenges
Design and prototype eco-friendly products to sell at a sustainability fair or community market
Design and prototype a solar-powered communication network aimed at providing resilient, independent communication channels for communities facing natural disasters
Develop a low-cost, portable water filtration system that can be used in communities with limited access to clean water

BY MICHELLE E. JORDAN, ANDREA E. WEINBERG, & NICOLE OSTER │ MAY 2024 │<<add URL>>

6 of 7

Possible Student Roles in Action Oriented Pedagogies

Builder

Puts existing solutions, practices, plans, representations, or approaches in place using technical proficiencies, project management strategies, and interpersonal skills to implement viable solutions and strategic actions

Artist

Creates novel aesthetic artworks or performances applying elements and principles of art in various mediums to express, inspire, and motivate actions, perceptions, and beliefs

Examples

Construct a school garden with input from the community (e.g., students, teachers, families) and based on geographic conditions
Install a rainwater harvesting barrel
Build air purifiers using simple materials like fans and HEPA filters to improve indoor air quality
Create models of green roofs using plants and sustainable materials
Build portable phone chargers using small solar panels
Construct solar ovens to cook food using sunlight
Collaborate with local organizations and communities to build safe, accessible, and sustainable parks or community centers equipped for natural disasters using sustainable materials

Examples�

Compose and record a piece of music representing the beauty and fragility of a local ecosystem
Host a screening for a student-created animated film that illustrates the causes and effects of climate change
Invite peers or community members to draw collaboratively in public spaces, creating evolving collective artwork that expresses multiple perspectives on environmentally and socially just futures
Build living sculptures made from biodegradable materials embedded with seeds that will sprout and grow
Write futures narratives to inspire others to imagine preferred, socially and environmentally just futures
Create and auctioned off art pieces to raise funds for environmental causes
Upcycle t-shirts into stylish and functional reusable bags, reducing plastic and repurposing clothes that might otherwise be discarded

Solutions Steward

Sustains innovations, continues solutions, and/or ensures ongoing implementation.

Uses problem-solving, strategic thinking, and resilience to adapt social or physical systems or artifacts as needed to maintain and/or ensure adaptation over time for continued optimization of effective actions

Examples

Adapt a classroom recycling program that has become ineffective and underutilized, using feedback solicited from intended users increase participation in recycling
Conduct an assessment of a garden irrigation system, identifying where water is being wasted and addressing it by adjusting as needed
Build on a previously established student-led cafeteria composting program created for 4th and 5th grades, expanding it to include younger grades
Maintain and strengthen interpersonal relationships with community members, across grade levels, and across diverse campuses to support and expand sustainability efforts beyond an academic school year

BY MICHELLE JORDAN, ANDREA E. WEINBERG, & NICOLE OSTER │ MAY 2024 │<<add URL>>

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Possible Student Roles in Action Oriented Pedagogies

Advocate

Mobilizes sustainability and climate knowledge using effective communication and group organizing skills to catalyze or accelerate informed action

Scientist

Analyzes and synthesizes credible sources and interprets new data.

Uses systematic methods of inquiry to inform inquiries and knowledge generation to guide action in particular communities and contexts

Innovator

Designs and potentially prototypes technological innovations and engineering solutions by applying creativity, technical expertise, disciplinary knowledge, and strategic thinking to drive meaningful change across products and systems

BY MICHELLE E. JORDAN, ANDREA E. WEINBERG, & NICOLE OSTER │ MAY 2024 │https://figshare.com/articles/online_resource/_b_Introducing_Roles_for_Action_Oriented_Pedagogies_b_/25893274?file=46522831

Builder/Maker

Puts existing solutions, practices, plans, representations, or approaches in place using technical proficiencies, project management strategies, and interpersonal skills to implement viable solutions and strategic actions

Artist

Creates novel aesthetic artworks or performances applying elements and principles of art in various mediums to express, inspire, and motivate actions, perceptions, and beliefs

Solutions Steward

Sustains innovations, continues solutions, and/or ensures ongoing implementation. Uses problem-solving, strategic thinking, and resilience to adapt social or physical systems to maintain optimization of effective actions