SEED, International Conference on Sustainable Energy Education
The Laboratory for Sustainable Technologies is part of the SEED (Sustainable Energy Education) research project. As part of the project, the First International Conference on Sustainable Energy Education (SEED 2024) was held in Valencia. The laboratory was represented by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Semih Severengiz, Michelle Hoffmann, and Thomas Spelten.
SEED firmly believes that education plays a crucial role in addressing climate change and transitioning to sustainable energy supply. The project encourages vocational training institutions and their regional partners to jointly develop top-quality education in the energy sector. The goal is to increase the number of qualified professionals, align study programs with labor market requirements, and support the development of new energy systems, products, and technologies.
The First International Conference on Sustainable Energy Education provides an international forum designed to build a global learning community to share knowledge, create opportunities, and develop a shared vision for sustainable education. It is aimed at all stakeholders, including universities, vocational training institutions, industry, authorities, public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and foundations.
Our Sessions and Presentations
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Semih Severengiz chaired a session on "New Teaching Methods in Sustainable Education," where he presented the paper "A study of problem-based learning in higher education with a focus on sustainability degree programmes," co-authored with Stephan Sommer, Michelle Hoffmann, and Ann Kathrin Stinder. This paper examines the implementation and effectiveness of the problem-based learning approach in higher education. A survey of students and faculty at Bochum University of Applied Sciences showed that this approach is perceived as beneficial for critical skills such as analytical abilities and solution orientation.
Thomas Spelten presented the paper "Learning Cooperations as a Method to integrate Education for Sustainable Development into Further Vocational Education," co-authored with Désirée Rottmann and Semih Severengiz. The paper presents a framework for integrating sustainability education into vocational training, particularly through learning cooperations with students in sustainability-related programs. This concept is implemented and evaluated within the "UpTrain" research project, which develops training programs for public transport. The results are promising but also show mixed feedback. Participants with higher education levels rate the cooperations more positively than others.
Additionally, Thomas Spelten presented the paper "Designing Courses & Increasing Learning Motivation through Gamification," co-authored with Kim Möller. The paper examines the impact of gamification in vocational education. Gamification is often praised for its potential to increase learning motivation, deepen understanding, and promote engagement. The paper investigates the mechanisms of successful gamification and its potential support in the teaching and learning process. Initial results from a test phase without gamification showed challenges for continuing education participants who had difficulties with the unfamiliar structure of vocational training. These issues were addressed and evaluated with a gamification approach and narrative teaching. The paper provides insights into the complexity of gamification in vocational education and emphasizes the need for further research in this emerging field.
All three papers can be read at https://doi.org/10.4995/SEED2024.2024.19007.
The laboratory members took the opportunity to engage with an international research community and establish valuable contacts. In addition to the presentations, they had the chance to participate in poster sessions and workshops. These events provided a platform to present current research findings, discuss innovative teaching methods, and collaboratively work on solutions for the challenges of sustainable energy education. The intensive exchange and collaboration with experts from various countries and disciplines enriched the participants' knowledge and perspectives, contributing to the further development of their own research projects.
The Laboratory for Sustainability Technologies is pleased to have been part of the First International Conference on Sustainable Energy Education, to promote sustainable education and take a step towards a future without fossil fuels. Now we are looking forward to the next SEED conference in Utrecht in 2026.
