Sustainable Consumer Choices: An Outreach Program Exploring the Environmental Impact of Our Consumer Choices Using a Systems Thinking Model and Laboratory Activities

A summer workshop was offered to inner-city high school students to explore the sustainability of their consumer choices using a systems thinking model. Students learned about related environmental or health issues due to the manufacturing, use, or disposal of common household products. Then, in the laboratory, they performed experiments to investigate the concern, analyzed data, made conclusions about the environmental hazards of the product, and were introduced to a “green” alternative. Off-campus field trips allowed students to further explore more sustainable options. Exit surveys indicated that these activities helped shape the way the students think about purchases and they have a better understanding of the greener alternatives.