We as a planet are facing some of the greatest challenges known to the human race. From pollution to global hunger, earth is struggling to breath. Education needs to agree to help solve these issues to help save future generations.
Acting for a model of change, the United Nations have developed a common agreement for sustainable global goals. Educators and leaders can implement these goals in schools as the catalyst for global change.
What can schools and classrooms to help?
1. Encourage global problem solving skills.
Have you heard about the the Pacific Trash Reef? Check out the article by National Geographic explaining how our Ocean is a dump. When I shared this with my students they were appalled and were eager to try to solve this real problem. We did some more research and come up with possible solutions from solar powered robots that incinerate trash to fibers that allows marine life to pass but collects the trash.
World hunger, the carbon front print, violence- the list is vast. These are the problems they will face in their world. Why not have them start now and have them learn skills along the way.
2. Global Partnerships
When my class started to talk about solutions to reduce the carbon foot print, we discovered that other countries have already taken vast steps to help reduce the impact on Earth. We saw how other countries are starting greening their towns and started formulating how that would look in our hometown. We reached out a few schools in those areas to provide some more insights and feedback on our models. In doing so, we established a global partnership with the hopes of improving our planet. These partnerships should be valued and continued to help support the goals.
3. Using technology to promote equality
There is an overwhelming data to support the fact that there is a gender gap between both math and literacy on national test scores. Girls are outpacing the boys test scores as the they tend to score higher on national averages. Males are more likely to drop out of high school and earn more suspensions than females. Despite this, we see a gender gaps in the workforce.
School doesn’t fit “boys” while girls aren’t getting into STEM fields.
Technology can be a great equalizer if used appropriately. Encourage girls to get into STEM fields by allowing them to have opportunities to code and have real life applications. Change up the traditional role of school and get students hooked with using technology in the classroom to support learning targets. Use technology to promote equality and give opportunities for all.
What ideas do you have to help support the Global Goals within the classroom? Leave a comment below.
Academy of Edification 