Authors: Mclaughlin, Jacqueline; Postolache, Carmen;

Anthropogenic realities in the Danube River and its Delta include but are not limited to climate change; pollution; improper plastic disposal; habitat destruction from excessive tourism, urban and industrial sprawl; international shipping; invasive species; and over-fishing. Taken independently or in combination, at the ecosystem level, these disturbances are threatening life (species extinction) while decreasing ecosystem services. For the Danube River and its Delta to be sustainable then, it is imperative that we begin to shift the way we train scientists as our future researchers and environmental leaders. The proposed work will provide ECCB participants with a binational undergraduate research instructional model that not only prepares students for rigorous STEM research through online and field experiences, but also prepares them to take action to address environmental sustainability issues confronting the Danube delta or similar ecosystems throughout their lifetimes through the blueprints of the UN SDGs. Evidence from Romanian and American student assessment research, providing both qualitative (artifacts) and quantitative (CURE Survey) data, will also be presented showcasing how blending course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), short-term study abroad, and sustainability education through our instructional model benefits student learning, especially agentic learning.