Cal Poly Appropriate Technology Classes:
Since 2008, Pete Schwartz and Cal Poly students have explored the causes of poverty (in “Development, PSC 391”) and innovated prototypes to address technical needs (in “Design, PSC 392”) through a series of service learning group projects while reflecting on our own lives and need to change at home. The classes are open to students across all majors and all groups are interdisciplinary. Inspired by MIT’s D-Lab, these classes give a broad overview of international development and appropriate design for sustainability. Theory is applied as students choose real-life challenges, both local and international, to address in project groups over the course of the quarter.
See pictures of the final presentations and potluck at Cal Poly’s Student Experimental Farm from spring 2017
See our Classes and Projects:
Present class:
Development, Fall 2023 was canceled and the Canvas website is locked
Each project group has a webpage documenting their project. Follow any of the links below to see what we’ve worked on.
Past Appropriate Technology Classes:
Design, Spring 2021 (In Quarantine)
Development, Fall 2020 (In Quarantine)
Design, Spring 2020 (In Quarantine)
Appropriate Technology For The World’s People: Design, Winter 2014
Appropriate Technology for the World’s People: Design: Winter 2013
Appropriate Technology for the World’s People: Development – F2012
Appropriate Technology for the World’s People: Design – W2012
Appropriate Technology for the World’s People: Develop – F2011
Appropriate Technology for the World’s People: Design – W2011
Energy Classes:
The energy projects from spring, 2013: http://energyphysics.wikispaces.com/Spring+2013
The energy projects from spring, 2011: http://energyphysics.wikispaces.com/
What are the requirements to enroll in appropriate technology classes?
In order to enroll in either of these UNIV classes, you must have Junior standing. In addition, there are other requirements that are class specific.
PSC 391: Completion of GE Area A, two courses from GE D1 – D5
PSC 392: Completion of GE Area B, or graduate standing. Recommended: PSC 392, GE Area D2, and GE Area D3.
However, if you don’t meet these requirements, but are still interested in joining the class, please send an email to pschwart@calpoly.edu.
Come Visit!
Get an inside look at the appropriate technology design process and types of projects we are working on. We gladly welcome visitors! Before coming to visit, please give us a heads up by emailing Pete, pschwart@calpoly.edu.