The CCI Contact Desk and the Vivita Invention and Prototyping Labs launched a pilot project to create innovative resources for students focused on global education.
The project demonstration day, a culmination of Vivita's three-month pilot program with students from four schools, was a testament to the students' creativity and dedication. On this day, students from the 7th to the 8th grades showcased their innovative projects, tackling various challenges in global education. A total of 31 students participated, forming teams and creating 15 remarkable projects.
The presentations were varied and exciting. For example, ideas for saving clean water included water purification filters, the Water Festival as an awareness day, a water use diary, and an app that measures groundwater use. In addition, students also developed a card game promoting physical activity, a study on healthy eating and a test of a delicious raw carrot cake.
The different challenges of climate disasters, such as earthquakes, were also engaging. For example, Polina, a student at Tallinn Humanitaar Gymnasium, researched the positive aspects of earthquakes and discovered that Japan was created as a result of an earthquake and that due to earthquakes, minerals are released from the soil that promotes the growth of certain plants unique to Japan. Polina crocheted a teddy bear of one of these plants to symbolise hope for her creative work.
Sonee, on the other hand, from Järveküla School, devised the structure of an earthquake-proof house and presented the idea of a transforming house, which was also very well thought out and impressive.
Interesting research papers and survey results on gender equality were also presented. One of the most memorable creative works was a rap song about gender equality by the Kärdla Primary School student Oti, which we hope to hear on the radio soon.
The essence of our project lies in fostering a connection between international issues and students' interests, leading to the development of innovative solutions. This approach has not only deepened the students' understanding of global challenges but also nurtured their creativity and broadened their perspectives. We are proud to be shaping the future generation of informed and open-minded global citizens.
The program was developed for students from the 7th to the 9th grade based on the design thinking methodology. The goal is to help complete the creative work required in high school. The program encourages students to think globally and develop global citizen skills using an innovative and systematic problem-solving approach. The project is based on a six-step design process, with worksheets, introductory videos, and instructional materials developed for both students and teachers for each step. From autumn 2024, the program will be available to all schools free of charge on the website ilmapilk.ee.
ESTDEV—Estonian Center for International Development Cooperation—supports the program, which the Goethe Institute in Tallinn has also contributed to.
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