Our Town interdisciplinary high school curriculum Our Town is a course-length high school curriculum that engages students in the science and economics of brownfields redevelopment. (Brownfields are abandoned or contaminated commercial sites.) The program leads students through a process of identifying specific brownfield sites in their communities and studying their redevelopment potential.

After researching a site’s hydrology, pollutants and clean-up options, students develop an economic redevelopment plan that is presented to local leaders. Activities include soil and water testing; GIS mapping; and intensive research and data analysis of historical documents, scientific databases, and public records. The program builds literacy, scientific knowledge, and communication skills through efforts to revitalize local brownfield sites. The curriculum can be used in science and social studies courses.

Funded by the US EPA, the program is developed by the Department of Engineering Education at Purdue University in partnership with Creative Change Educational Solutions.

We are seeking teams of teachers (science-social studies) interested in joining a national network of schools using "Our Town." Contact us for more information on becoming an "Our Town" site.