2023-2024 HonorsX

Five interdisciplinary student teams who had been working together all year presented their final sustainability initiatives on topics ranging from transportation, access to high-quality food and water, public green spaces, and urban greening, and public support for sustainability. Each group identified and invited stakeholders with specific “asks” to advance their sustainability goals. All presentations were provided in a multimedia format using the Adobe Creative Suite. In the spirit of building a strong, interdisciplinary community of practice, we were joined by middle and high school students from East Side Union High School District as they shared the results of community action research to promote climate hope via social media.

The HonorsX minor brings together an interdisciplinary community of students, faculty and partners from industry, government and nonprofit sectors to wield the power of interdisciplinary thinking to propose solutions to our most pressing societal issues. The theme for AY 2023-24 was “Who are we 2030? Envisioning sustainable societies.” As part of their work, students proposed and conducted original research to inform their solutions and understand the needs and priorities of stakeholders. Representatives from each interdisciplinary team shared their work in five short presentations as part of SJSU Research Week April 15-19, 2024. The presentations were followed by a panel-style Q&A after at the RSCA forum. The event was co-hosted by the Office of Research, Division of Research and Innovation, and the MLK Library.

HonorsX students were invited to attend the 35th Annual Bioneers Conference, courtesy of Dr. Keenan Norris, HonorsX instructional faculty in AY 2023-24. Each student attended at least two events at the conference to learn about a wide range of sustainability issues such as climate action, clean tech, social justice and environmental education among others, and build connections with industry leaders and experts. Students had the opportunity of networking and connecting with industry leaders, including the Bioneers President, Teo Grossman.

Learn about the Bioneers Conference

Supported by a dedicated faculty team from the Colleges of Education and the Humanities & the Arts and mentors from the industry, EcoVision is centered on the theme of sustainability. The event showcased our students' “deeply researched and rigorously honed proposals for a sustainable environmental and social world, from urban gardening to public transportation and climate justice-focused media”.