Art
Contents
Nature
Paper Making - 15 minutes (Grades 5-8)
Grade levels: All
Introduction: 300 million tons of paper is produced every year in the world and out of that, 85 million are wasted. (RecordNations) The UN's Sustainable Development Goal #12 goal aims for sustainable consumption and production, therefore it is our job to recycle and reuse as much as we can. This activity will teach other ways we can use our recycled paper.
Activity:
Better done with someone for extra fun!
Choose one of these activities to do:
Feel free to look on youtube for more paper crafts
Key Takeaways:
Encourages children to always find ways to reduce our trash and reuse materials
Helps explain "One man's trash is another man's treasure"
Homemade Paper Making - 30 minutes (Grades 5-8)
Grade levels: All
Related to: SDG #7, SDG #11, SDG #12, SDG #13
Introduction: One of handmade paper's major advantages is that it is 100 percent recycled and free of wood. The rich texture of handmade paper also makes it ideal for drawing, writing, book binding, rubber stamping and more.
Activity: Watch and follow the tutorial of this video.
Key Takeaways:
Promoting the reduction of waste
Students better appreciate the sheer value of paper and are encouraged to reuse material
Upcyclying: Transforming by-products & waste materials - 30 minutes (Grades 5-8)
Grade Levels: All
Related SDGs: Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life on Land
Intro: Upcycling is a form of recycling where we transform unwanted products and waste materials into new products with more values. This allows minimizing waste and reduces the needs for production with new materials as the main purpose is to improve the lifespan of resources using creativity.
Activity:
Select waste or unwanted materials from their households.
Sketch out a design of the reformed products with detailed planning of each steps.
Examples:
Makeover from waste to useable products!
Take Aways:
Creative thinking and problem solving
Learn to reuse and add values to unwanted materials
Improve lifespan of resources
Economy
Climate Solutions: Designing a Product!- Grades 5-8 (15-45 minutes)
Related SDGs: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Affordable and Clean Energy
Grade levels: All
Intro: In this activity, students will use their knowledge of environmental problems, science, and creativity to design their own product that can help the world in some way. It may be an appliance, a machine, or a city layout! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Compost system
Air freshener
Grey water irrigation system layout
Recycled fashion
Biofuel vehicles (cars, trucks, bikes, or anything you can imagine!)
Planting/Harvesting machine
Smart lighting
Sustainable city blueprint (with labels and details on how the system functions in terms of energy, roads, safety, and education)
Activity:
Students will create a drawing of their own sustainable product. Encourage them to think creatively, and make sure to add color and labels!
They may also wish to consider a suitable price for the product and advertising tactics
At the end of class, they will present their plans and advertise their product to the rest of the class, explaining how it functions, and what makes it sustainable
Takeaways:
Creative thinking and problem solving
Navigating potential solutions to climate change
Introduction to product design, advertising, and brand purpose
Climate Solutions: Designing a Home!- Grades 5-8 (15 - 45 minutes)
Related SDGs: Sustainable Cities and Communities; Affordable and Clean Energy; Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Grade levels: All
Intro: In this activity, each student will use their knowledge of environmental problems and sustainable energy to design their dream house that is efficient and may reduce carbon emissions. It may be a suburban home, a backyard, a van, a building, or an entire city!
(No need to watch all of them, but students may use them for reference if they so wish.)
Activity:
Students will create a drawing or blueprint of their own sustainable home. Encourage them to think creatively, and make sure to add color and labels! Here are some ideas for facilities to include:
Solar panels
Energy efficient air-conditioner replacement
Grey water system
Compost system
Garden
Construction material (recycled wood, concrete, eco-bricks, etc)
They may also wish to consider a suitable price for the product and advertising tactics
At the end of class, they will present their plans and advertise their house to the rest of the class, explaining how it functions, and what makes it sustainable
Takeaways:
Creative thinking and problem solving
Navigating potential solutions to climate change
Introduction to product design, advertising, and brand purpose
Society
Who Inspires you to Live Sustainably? - Grades 5-8 (20 minutes)
Related to: *Possibly all SDG goals (depending on how creative you get)
Intro: Leaders that support sustainability build and restore ecosystems that encourage broad-based quality improvement. They help people adapt and thrive in increasingly dynamic environments by allowing them to benefit from one another's diverse behaviors.
Activity:
1) Make a sketch, painting, digital edit, or sculpture inspired by the individual who inspires you.
2) Include visuals regarding who they are, what they do, how they inspire others, etc.
3) Share your findings in breakout rooms of three!
Takeaways:
Students recognize the importance and value of sustainable leadership
Students broaden their horizons by learning about a variety of leaders
Wellbeing
Kindess calendar - 15 minutes (grades 5-8)
Grade levels: All
Related to: Gender Equality (#5), Reduced Inequalities (#10) and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (#17)
Introduction: Each person goes through difficult situations and at times, we feel we are losing hope that life gets better. By showing acts of kindness, no matter how small or how unexpected, it reminds people that there are still good things out there. Moreover, it makes them smile and encourages them to pass on a chain reaction of acts of kindness.
Activity:
Gather materials such as paper and art materials
Draw or print out a template of a calendar.
can be a whole month, one week, or several weeks
3. Assign at least one act of kindness each day. You may add some more
e.g. hug a person, leave a nice note, give a chocolate bar
4. Allow time to personalize and decorate their calendar
Key Takeaways:
Teaches the importance of being kind
Shows the effects of being equal
Reduces bullying and rude actions