Climate Action Today for Students Lab (CATS Lab)
The MSU Climate Action Today for Students (CATS) Lab engages students in learning, research and outreach about the critical issues facing Montana State University, the citizens of Montana, and the world on the climate crisis.
The CATS Lab is a student-led, faculty advised independent learning initiative. We encourage the use of the Montana State University campus as a living laboratory for experiential learning and applied research on how the climate crisis is impacting our area, and ways we can reduce our own carbon footprint across campus and beyond.
~ For more information, contact Paul Lachapelle at paul.lachapelle@montana.edu
Check Out These Student Independent Study and Class Projects
Hailey Sinoff - Spring 2022
Hailey worked on a “Campus Climate Coalition” Toolkit to help students understand
the history of university divestment movements, background on efforts to reduce Montana
State University’s carbon footprint, and various resources associated with socially
responsible investing. See Hailey's Project
Zach Knoll, Alex Musar, and Andrew Nosler - Spring 2022
These students worked together on the MSU Scope 3 Task Force to analyze what our peer
universities are doing to address Scope 3 emissions and make a series of recommendations
to Montana State University. See Zach, Alex, and Andrew's Project
Taylor Brandt - Spring 2022
Taylor worked with Bonnie Hickey, Sustainability Director at Bridger Bowl, on a number
of sustainability initiatives including improving composting opportunities and interpretive
signage for youth. See Taylor's Project
Nicole Bondurant, Dominic Corradino, Nicholas Fitzmaurice, Cy Halvorson, Raye Myers,
Megan Stone, Jessica Thompson, Savanna Washburn – Spring 2021
The Climate Action Plan Research Report 2021 examines both the development and implementation
of climate action plans in higher educational settings. Research strategies include
conducting a literature review utilizing reference management software; collecting
institutional data on universities across the United States; narrowing the scope of
our research down to the following four case study institutions based on their similarities
to Montana State University: Colorado State University (CSU), University of Montana
(UM), Utah State University (USU), and Weber State University (WSU); analyzing those
universities’ climate action plans and supporting documents; interviewing individuals
involved with climate action plan development and implementation from each university;
and synthesizing our data based on thematic categories into key findings. See Climate Action Plan Research Report 2021
Noah Jakovac - Summer 2021
Noah performed an onsite, photovoltaic analysis for Montana State University, recommending
a series of projects to increase our solar capacity. See Noah's Project
Atticus Cummings - Spring 2021
The Campus Climate Coalition was created as a result of Atticus’s work investigating similar organizations at
other universities and establishing the student-run effort here at Montana State University.
Climate Leadership (HONR 291) course - Winter 2021
My colleague Heather Higinbotham and I taught a 1-credit, Climate Leadership (HONR 291) for 25 Honors students. Part of their required assignment was to complete an interview
with a "climate leader" of their choice and then tell their own climate leadership
story. See all the videos posted on our class YouTube channel.