Sustainability, Equity and STEM Education Minor

The Sustainability, Equity and STEM Education (SESE) minor prepares future educators to integrate sustainability principles into STEM education while fostering equitable and inclusive learning environments. Designed for those interested in teaching science (biological sciences, chemistry, geoscience or physics) at the secondary level, the SESE minor equips students with the pedagogical and content knowledge necessary to engage diverse learners in sustainability-focused STEM instruction.

Through interdisciplinary course work and clinical field experiences in urban schools and community organizations, students will develop the skills to design NGSS-aligned unit plans, implement equity-centered sustainability lessons and engage in real-world problem-solving. The program emphasizes systems thinking, inclusive instructional strategies and the application of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in STEM education.

Program Features and Career Pathways

The SESE minor aligns with USC’s Assignment: Earth initiative and national trends emphasizing sustainability in education. Graduates will be well-positioned for careers as:

• Secondary STEM educators with sustainability expertise
• Environmental education specialists
• Curriculum designers focused on sustainability and equity
• Science and sustainability policymakers
• STEM-focused instructional leaders

As a California-based licensure program, candidates enrolled in the SESE minor must satisfy requirements in addition to the courses listed below. Please refer to the information about these requirements in the Credential Programs section of the Rossier School section of the catalogue. 

Core Courses (Each course is 4 units)

• EDUC 477  – Explores community-driven sustainability initiatives, integrating environmental literacy with STEM education to design interdisciplinary projects that promote equity and civic engagement.
• EDUC 478  – Examines how digital tools, AI and engineering practices can be leveraged to teach sustainability in STEM, with an emphasis on culturally responsive and ethical technology use.
• EDUC 481  – Focuses on systems thinking, interdisciplinary teaching and the use of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create sustainability-focused STEM curricula.
• EDUC 483  (Maymester Capstone) – Investigates how STEM education can address sustainability and career pathways while incorporating social-emotional learning and equity-based instructional practices.
• EDUC 485  – A hands-on teaching experience where students design, implement and assess sustainability-focused STEM lessons in real-world classroom or community settings.

Clinical Fieldwork and Practicum

Students in the SESE minor engage in clinical placements in secondary science classrooms and community-based sustainability projects, totaling up to 838 hours of fieldwork. The Maymester capstone experience further deepens students’ ability to apply instructional strategies and sustainability principles in authentic educational settings.

Program Benefits

• Prepares future STEM educators to integrate sustainability into science instruction
• Equips students with interdisciplinary teaching strategies and real-world applications
• Fulfills credentialing requirements for secondary science education in California
• Provides hands-on experience through clinical practice in urban schools and community organizations
• Positions graduates for careers in science education, sustainability policy, and curriculum design

The SESE minor is open to all USC undergraduates and may be completed in one or two academic years. By combining sustainability with STEM education, the program empowers students to become leaders in equity-focused science teaching and environmental advocacy.