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The Great Problems Seminars program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a first year, project-based seminar series that aims to get first year STEM students to tackle real world, open-ended, and complex problems. We do this through an interdisciplinary team teaching approach that often includes local and international stakeholders. Each seminar focuses on one ‘great problem’ such as food, water, or energy. These courses culminate in student driven, team-based projects aimed at identifying and addressing some important aspect of the ‘great problem’. In this process students work with external organizations (sustainable development NGOs, community organizations, businesses, etc.) to gain a real world context along with interaction with people affected by or engaged in solving these critical problems. Sustainable development education is a core part of the curriculum to prepare students to engage …