Contemporary social and policy themes were integrated in undergraduate classroom activities in two separate investigations: (1) a collaboration between a civil engineering computer programming laboratory course and microbiology lecture/laboratory course; and (2) a standalone activity in a geotechnical engineering laboratory course. In both cases, a contemporary theme related to climate change was selected. For the civil engineering/microbiology collaboration, synchronous and asynchronous interactions between lower division students were facilitated for policy initiative of diverting food waste from landfills. For the geotechnical engineering laboratory, the theme related to the connection between power transmission infrastructure and wildfires in California. The interdisciplinary collaborative activity resulted in incorporating research components into curriculum and led to students pursuing research investigations. The new geotechnical laboratory exercise engaged the students more than the conventional tests and resulted in higher technical performance and cognitive achievements. Guidelines are provided for implementation of the activities.
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