“Sustainability – What Does It Mean for Engineers?” Evaluation Questions
Grading Rubric
1. Sustainable development is defined as:
a. Developing a dedicated funding source to continually fund development.
b. Building whatever is needed today so that existing needs are always fully met.
c. Meeting human needs while conserving and protecting environmental quality and the
natural resource base for future development.
d. All development is bad. Sustainability only needs to consider environmental quality.
e. None of the above
Correct response: c (1 point)
2. What is a triple bottom line solution?
a. A solution that is good for micro-economics, meso-economics, and macro-economics.
b. A solution that is good for the environment, economics, and society.
c. A solution that is good for energy, the environment, and ecosystems.
d. A solution that is good for the poor, the middle-class, and the rich.
Correct response: b (1 point)
3. Sustainable engineering should consider all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Environment
b. Maintenance
c. Economics
d. Society
e. None of the Above (All should be considered)
Correct response: e (1 point)
4. Sustainability objectives include (circle as many as apply):
a. low cost
b. high disposability
c. better safety
d. better human health
e. None of the Above
Correct response: a, c, d (3 points)
5. Sustainability issues are important for all of the following industries EXCEPT:
a. Energy
b. Building and construction
c. Mining
d. Transportation
e. None of the Above (Sustainability should be considered for all)
Correct response: e (1 point)
6. Which of the following are examples of engineering designs that help solve sustainability
problems? Circle all that apply.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
A wastewater treatment plant
An electric car
Pavement made from recycled asphalt
A building designed to take advantage of natural lighting
A photovoltaic power plant
Correct response: All (5 points)
7. Give an example of a question you could ask about an engineering design to determine
whether the design is sustainable.
Example: What quantity of energy does this design use, compared to other designs?
Other ideas for questions are in the sustainable design tables.
2 points
8. If you are given a choice of bagging your groceries in a paper or plastic bag, and you are
concerned about sustainability, which do you choose? Explain your choice. (4 points)
2 points for each factor evaluated, up to 4 points
Factors could include:

The plastic bag is lighter weight, so takes less materials to produce and less energy to
transport.

The plastic is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.

The paper is made from trees, a renewable resource.

The paper will eventually biodegrade in a landfill; the plastic bag will not.