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Experiential Learning

Immerse Yourself by Doing and Solving Real Problems!

In our program, experiential learning isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of how we teach and how you’ll learn. We believe the best way to understand sustainable biomaterials and related fields is by tackling real-world challenges head-on, working with actual materials, and exploring the complex systems that shape our world.

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From your very first semester, you’ll be involved in hands-on projects, interactive labs, and problem-solving activities that mirror the work professionals do in industry and research. These experiences help you develop the technical expertise, creative thinking, and collaboration skills that today’s employers are actively seeking.

Research plays a central role in this process. Whether you join a faculty-led project or design your own, you’ll gain opportunities to deepen your knowledge, connect with industry partners, and build a professional network that can open doors for your future career.

Our commitment to immersive learning also extends beyond the classroom and lab. International study tours and overseas fieldwork allow you to see sustainability in action on a global scale—learning from communities, businesses, and ecosystems around the world. These experiences not only broaden your perspective but also inspire innovative approaches to challenges at home.

Here, learning is never passive—you’ll graduate ready to lead, create, and make a tangible difference in the industries and communities you serve.

 

Hands-on Experiences

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    A professor and graduate student inspect a crack in wood made from a testing machine
    Research , home

    Explore innovative research at Virginia Tech's Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, focusing on renewable materials, packaging systems, and forest products to advance sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

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    Overseas Study

    Explore global sustainability through Virginia Tech's Sustainable Biomaterials overseas study programs. Earn course credit while engaging in hands-on learning in Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

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    Internships and career opportunities
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    Discover internship and career opportunities in packaging and sustainable biomaterials at Virginia Tech. Gain hands-on experience, connect with industry leaders, and prepare for a successful career in design, engineering, and manufacturing.

Institutes and Academies

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    Sustainable Impact Academy
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    The Sustainable Impact Academy offers a unique opportunity for students to become the next generation of changemakers, equipped to lead in a rapidly evolving world. This credit-bearing program integrates social science, systems thinking, circularity, industrial ecology, and sustainable business into a cohesive curriculum. Through hands-on, experiential components, students practice what they learn by working on real-world projects in faculty-, staff-, and student-led teams—deepening their understanding and strengthening their leadership skills.

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    Leadership Institute , home

    Each year, 12 juniors and seniors in the College of Natural Resources and Environment apply for and are selected to take on the challenge of the CNRE Leadership Institute. Once accepted, they embark on a yearlong journey of leadership development and practice that includes taking a three-credit course in both the fall and spring semesters, taking part in an off-campus retreat, and managing a capstone team project.