Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today brought teachers and students from 5 countries together at the United Nations to find solutions for sustainable development issues around the globe. As part of the Global Classroom STEAM Challenge, the student teams partnered with international counterparts over the past 10 weeks to develop solutions to issues in their respective communities. Today, at an event at the United Nations headquarters, the teams presented their proposed solutions to a panel of government leaders, non-governmental organizations, educators and corporate leaders.
Focusing on economic, environmental, and social issues, the students were challenged to work collaboratively to use STEAM skills to build out possible solutions that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a virtual classroom platform developed by IVECA, a non-profit organization that supports international collaborative learning, students worked in tandem to identify issues in their local communities, share perspectives and develop their presentations.
Each of the schools participating will receive a participation certificate from IVECA, as well as a Global Classroom STEAM Challenge award from Samsung.
The list of school teams include:
- Ross High School’s Butler Tech in Hamilton, Ohio & Science Academy of KAIST in Busan, Korea are addressing the “No Poverty” and “Zero Hunger” SDGs by developing a website and an NGO to collect and distribute food.
- Downtown College Prep in San Jose, California & Zhenjiang Vocational Technical College in Jiangsu, China are addressing the “Clean Energy,” “Climate Action,” and “Life on Land” SDGs thanks to co-developed devices to reuse recyclables and plastic to cool and filter the air and conserve water.
- Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy in Erie, Pennsylvania & International School of Tunis from Tunis, Tunisia are addressing the “Decent Work and Economic Growth” and “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” SDGs through educational programs to create jobs and improve their economy through tourism and workplace equality.
- The Lawrence County High School in Moulton, Alabama & Luiza Formozinho Ribeiro Public School in Sao Paulo, Brazil are addressing the “Good Health and Well-Being” SDG through co-developed websites and a mobile app to reduce and better manage waste and litter in their communities.
The United Nation’s YouTube channel will archive the program on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/unitednations.
