Zint draws on Participatory Action Research and co-designs pedagogies to engage undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. students in addressing interdisciplinary curricular and societal challenges. Most recently, her work has focused on climate change education as part of the Advancing Climate Education at U-M initiative.
Students in her courses explore key aspects of climate change education through literature reviews, expert interviews, and “just-in-time” mini-lectures, while also learning to function as a collaborative team. Students also apply what they’ve learned by designing interactive activities for campuswide summits that support improvements to climate change education throughout U-M’s 19 schools and colleges.
One hallmark of this initiative is its participatory nature. Students do not just study a topic; they actively shape how it is taught. After the campuswide summits have ended, students’ work culminates in reports with recommendations that are presented to university leadership, contributing to institutional change. By putting students at the center of educational reform, ACE enhances their research, collaboration and leadership skills while ensuring lasting improvements in campus climate education efforts.
Another important aspect of the ACE innovation is its partnerships with campus organizations. ACE 1.0, for example, was conducted in close partnership with CRLT, whereas Counseling and Psychological Services was the lead partner for the more recent ACE 2.0. As a result of interactions with relevant campus units, students come to appreciate the importance of collaboration in addressing complex challenges.
Above photo:
Michaela Zint, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor of Environment and Sustainability, School for Environment and Sustainability; Professor of Program in the Environment, SEAS and LSA; and Professor of Education, Marsal Family School of Education.
