Reflective and Cooperative Learning for Understanding Sustainability through an Eco-Innovation Strategy in Rural Travel and Hospitality: A STEAM Case Study

Eco-innovation denotes developing green practices using environmentally friendly innovative approaches or technologies. Although eco-innovation has been broadly applied in different industries, such as low-carbon production and manufacturing, how to implement innovation education for sustainable development (ESD) rarely studied. Therefore, this research considered a reflective cooperative learning approach science, technology, engineering, arts, math (STEAM) education. A case study examined Wanluan Township of Pingtung County southern Taiwan. Four departments’ students lecturers at Meiho University were involved situated learning. Hospitality management played farm owners who engaged organic agriculture produce food beverages. These agricultural products farm-to-table, cooked, served customers natural dining setting through the students’ teamwork. Tourism, sports leisure management, science nutrition tourists self-guided travel context, acts visiting buildings understand heritage while observing that houses still use dwellings. This encouraged reflection on importance cultural preservation. The results showed can represent marketing strategy improving local community economy be implemented practical situation STEAM. ESD goal 2030—societal transformation—is foster responsible behavior attitudes personally authentic manner, thereby fostering understanding.