Active learning as enabler of sustainability learning outcomes: Capturing the perceptions of learners during a materials education workshop

Active learning is a promising teaching approach that can develop sustainability competences in learners. In this paper, we investigate the potential of active-learning pedagogies such as serious games and active-learning toolkits to deliver sustainability knowledge and skills in materials education. We organised a workshop for 20 participants from UK Universities where they played the serious game In the Loop around critical materials and circular economy and engaged in the Active-Learning ToolKit Sustainable Development (Granta Design/now Ansys UK Ltd.) to assess the sustainability of a proposed policy intervention around the use of electric cars. We used a self-assessment questionnaire and reflection sessions to deduce the level of sustainability skill developed by the participants as well as importance and performance analysis (IPA) to help the educators understand crucial components they should concentrate their teaching and learning efforts on in the future. Finally, we provide recommendations for educators on how to implement active learning in materials education in order to empower students with skills for sustainability.