Students Solving Real World Problems

The 10th grade Sociology class has turned in their textbooks for a more practical approach to learning. They’ll have no more tests, no more quizzes, and no more “homework.” But if they aren’t careful, they might “accidentally” learn more about the world this semester than they ever have. They were given the option between continuing […]

The 10th grade Sociology class has turned in their textbooks for a more practical approach to learning. They’ll have no more tests, no more quizzes, and no more “homework.” But if they aren’t careful, they might “accidentally” learn more about the world this semester than they ever have.

They were given the option between continuing in their regular bookwork or signing up for a program called Challenge 20/20. The program was designed by the National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS) to give students the opportunity to learn about global problems and to take steps to solve one of those problems. Although we aren’t affiliated with NAIS, we decided to ask the students if they would be interested. They knew from the beginning that, even though they wouldn’t have tests and such, the work was going to be much more difficult and time consuming. They were going to have to work together, manage their own time, meet deadlines, and make important decisions as a team. They enthusiastically chose the program.

Currently, the students are researching global problems to decide which one they want to tackle. They will write two research papers before they decide which problem to solve and how to do it.

Even though they won’t be directly connected with NAIS, the students will have the opportunity to connect with Village Life, an organization that works with rural villages in Tanzania. And at the end of the semester, they will present their project to workers on the ground in Tanzania.