Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Provided by: MIT Climate Action Through Education

Lesson Plans Grades 9-12

Synopsis

This mini-unit explores what it means to be a global citizen, what the UN SDGs are, and the importance of these goals for empowering community action to build a more sustainable and equitable world for all.
Students become experts in one of the SDGs, presenting their topic to their classmates and creating an assessment to evaluate their classmate's understanding at the end of the unit.

Subjects: Civics, English Language Arts

Authors: Kathryn Teissier du Cros

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

This unit introduces students to the UN SDGs, which can then be used to anchor student work across a range of topics and subjects, providing an interdisciplinary and service-oriented lens.
Students practice their presentation and public speaking skills.

Prerequisites

Students will need computers (and ideally headphones) to access the lesson materials.
The link to the History of Sustainability presentation is broken. The climate primer is recommended for this purpose instead.

Differentiation & Implementation

The unit plan contains links to relevant TIL Climate Podcast episodes that can be used to extend student learning.
The unit plan links to a climate primer and an article about the structure of the UN, which provide excellent background information if needed for students.
Students will need to be able to define key vocabulary related to their UN SDG. Some students may need support with this, especially if they are learning English.
This unit can be used in a social studies or science class to introduce the UN SDGs.
In a world language class, this unit can be completed with students conducting research and giving their presentations in the language of study.
After-school clubs or student organizations can use this unit to introduce the UN SDGs, which can be used to anchor service work in the community.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format