EarthSolvers: Local Action, Global Change

Step 1: Empathize

• Explain to students the project's objectives and its importance in improving the school environment.
• Each participating class identifies an environmental issue in their school, such as paper waste, excessive use of single-use plastics, or unnecessary lights left on.
• Students take photographs to provide evidence of the identified problem.
• Students prepare a brief presentation that includes:
• Problem description: A clear and concise explanation.
• Visual evidence: Photographs with informative captions.
• They publish their findings on the project board on Class2Class.org to share with other classes.
• Students organize into groups of 4 or 5 to collaboratively develop their proposed solution.

Step 2: Define

• Students analyze the similarities and differences between the issues identified by each class.
• Each class discusses the importance of addressing their selected issue within their community or school, reflecting on its impact.
• Students review and deepen their understanding of the discussed information to gain better insight into the situation.
• Guide them to identify specific challenges related to the problem and potential barriers to its solution.
• Encourage students to post key findings on the project board, allowing their partner classes to contribute solution ideas or feedback.

Step 3: Ideate

• Facilitate a creative session where students propose potential solutions to the identified problem.
• Guide the teams to evaluate the ideas and choose the most suitable solution based on the problem and available resources.
• Use the platform’s board to share the selected idea through drawings, descriptions, or diagrams of the ideal solution.
• Invite the partner class to review the proposals, provide feedback, or ask questions that encourage reflection and improvements.

Step 4: Prototype

• Support students in developing a prototype for their solution, which could take the form of a drawing, a digital design, or a mock-up.
• Encourage the use of recyclable materials to construct prototypes, fostering sustainability in the process.
• Suggested prototype ideas include:
• Innovative tools or devices.
• Creative educational models.
• Sustainable design concepts tailored to address the identified problem.
• Some examples:
• Eco-Impact Social Media Campaign. Students design a prototype social media campaign to raise environmental awareness. Includes sample posts, hashtag strategies, and engagement challenges. Partner classes collaborate to refine messaging and test engagement strategies within their school communities.
• Green Tech Innovation Proposal. Students create presentation materials for an eco-friendly school improvement, such as a solar charging station for devices or a smart recycling system. Using cardboard models, basic diagrams, or digital presentations.
• School Sustainability Report Card. Students develop a visual scoring system to grade their school's environmental practices. The prototype includes assessment criteria, data collection methods, and improvement recommendations.

Step 5: Test and Preparation

• Guide students in refining their prototype, ensuring it clearly reflects the solution to the identified problem.
• Support students in preparing a simple PowerPoint (PPT) presentation to explain their proposed solution.
• Structure of the presentation:
• Introduction: Briefly summarize the problem being addressed.
• Solution: Explain how the proposal works and how it tackles the problem.
• Conclusion: Highlight the conclusions and lessons learned during the process.
• This will ensure clarity and effectiveness in communicating with their international peers.

Step 6: Final Presentation

• Organize a video call with the partner classes to share the final work.
• Each team presents their prototypes or proposed solutions to the identified problem.
• Encourage a feedback session where the classes can provide constructive comments.
• At the end, encourage students to share their learnings and reflections on the process, highlighting how they collaborated to find solutions and what new perspectives they gained throughout the project.

Assessment and reflection ✍️

• Rubrics to assess student participation, collaboration, and the quality of their research and presentations.
• Assessment Matrix - Facing a global challenge
• Reflective journal prompts to encourage students to think critically about their learning, personal growth, and the potential impact of their actions.
• Peer and self-assessment opportunities to foster accountability and ownership of learning.

Teacher tips 💡

• Foster a safe and inclusive learning environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Provide clear guidelines and expectations for respectful communication and collaboration. We suggest you review the coexistence policies of Class2Class.org.
• Facilitate the formation of diverse international teams, ensuring a mix of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Provide scaffolding and support throughout the research and action planning process, offering guidance and resources as needed.
• Encourage student agency and ownership of their learning, allowing them to drive the direction of their projects.
• Celebrate student achievements and facilitate meaningful reflection on their growth and the impact of their actions.

Ready to make a global impact? Transform your classroom into a hub of environmental innovation!