Make a difference
Your group will develop strategies to reduce global poverty and share your findings with experts who can implement your ideas.
In our interconnected world, it is essential to consider varied perspectives when proposing solutions to local, national, or global challenges. As such, we developed a learning experience for our graduating 8th graders that requires the application of 21st century skills toward solving a vital, complex global problem and presenting those findings to an authentic audience. Students are scored but not graded as we use the data gathered to improve our program, curriculum, and pedagogy.
During the first full week in June, students will be asked to design and present a global development plan by selecting the topic and format that they are most interested in pursuing. Regardless of the option selected, students will be placed in groups and asked to define the most significant challenges and barriers to overcoming poverty, offer a range of practical solutions, and design an action plan or innovation that will accelerate a country’s (or non-profit agency's) ability to meet established Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Students who design and present the most impactful plan will have an opportunity to Skype with real-world experts in the field of global development. These experts have spanned the globe - from South Africa, to London, LA to NYC. In the past, students have Skyped with members of the Obama Administration, the World Bank, the United Nations, professors, consultants in the field, and leaders of NGO's and leading non-profit organizations (click "more" button to see full list).
We are requesting that you consider the opportunity to serve as a volunteer judge to evaluate our 8th grade students’ presentations. As members of the panel, we do not expect you to be an expert in global development. We will train you on criteria you will use to evaluate presentations. The information we receive will enable us to reflect and adjust our curriculum and programs so that we are better able to develop our students as 21st century learners. Click the “more” button to find out how.
The project starts on Monday June 8th with research completed by Thursday June 11th, 2019.
Presentations will take place on Friday, June 12th, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Selected groups will Skype with real-world experts at times TBD on Monday June 15th, 2020.
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