A Better Future Through Physics

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between students' goals to pursue a career as a physicist and their beliefs and actions related to sustainability. In order to test this relationship, data from the Sustainability and Gender in Engineering (SaGE) project surveying college students enrolled in freshman English courses was used. Initial results indicate that students wanting to become physicists have different views about sustainability, such as beliefs about their ability to contribute to a sustainable future, than students pursuing other careers. At a time when sustainability is an increasingly important topic for scientists to consider, this study adds to the discussion within the physics community.