Our present conversations around race can get stuck in a reflexive defensiveness of language. What is structural racism? What is actually meant by white privilege? This article from Learning for Justice unpacks the history of the term and action steps to do better.

Find examples of propaganda, surveillance, or marketing in your neighborhood. Document how these things are used, challenging or supporting their existence.

Look at the impact of environmental racism on communities. Consider studying how lead poisoning affects people and why it matters that we care for all people in communities.

Create a resource for teachers to recognize childism and adultism in the classroom, advocating for yourself.

Perform an in-depth analysis of a certain “soft skill”: teamwork, communication, time-management, etc. Why is that skill valuable and needed? Where can you find examples of it in action? How can that skill be better taught in a school curriculum? 

Consider your community and the areas with a lower cost of living. Why is it that those areas have lower property values? What could bring more awareness and sustainability to these areas? Prepare a report.

Pick a textile or clothing material (leather, denim, synthetics, etc.)

Make an art campaign surrounding the use of sustainable textiles and cloth by showcases ethical use, economic impact, and environmental impact. Perhaps, utilize the sustainable alternative to create the art display.

Street art is highly connected to other “scenes”, such as skateboarding. Consider what these spaces are, why they exist, and how they operate in tandem with one another.

Research and complete a presentation of youth activism and youth-led movements throughout history.

This article discusses the ways soft-skills are fostered in mathematics courses, Finding Soft Skills in Mathematics Isn’t As Hard As You Might Think.

Coordinate and host a focus group session in your community over a topic, such as something involving your school or an initiative you’d like to see happen. Gain permission and record the conversation, analyzing what people have said and making a policy proposal incorporating their perspectives.

It is important to make plans, but various events will cause us to shift our goals. For example, activist and President of South Africa Nelson Mandela studied English, anthropology, politics, "native administration", Roman Dutch law, and was actively involved in ballroom dancing.

Look at various famous leaders, professionals, and activists throughout your country’s history. What was their upbringing? What did they do in school? If they attended higher education, what did they major in? Ultimately, how does this all compare to what they did historically?

Physical education can be a divisive subject because the types of activities in the class can instigate anxiety and social pressure, especially when designed through the teacher’s lens. Hold an open conversation about the purpose of physical education and student experiences in the subject, offering space to suggest new activities.

Look at historical examples of perspectives and biases across major world events (e.g., Charge of the Light Brigade, Sinking of the Lusitania, End of Apartheid, American Civil War, etc.)

Consider how animals and humans relate through verbal and body language. This article demonstrates how canines has evolved to understand our behaviors, turning them into faithful companions. How does this compare to other domesticated animals? Could other animals evolve to be companion animals?

Consider the use of self-driving cars, moral questions, and the "Trolley Problem" through this resource, reflecting on its other applicability in real life.

Research examples of individuals and groups in fiction and non-fiction whose values were challenged. Describe their values, how their experiences shaped their values, and the actions they took based on those values.

Alternatively, create a list of fictional characters from pop culture (Harry Potter, Paw Patrol, Stranger Things, The Office, etc.) and recreate the introduction activity from this lesson from the perspective of those characters!

Is there a contentious issue in your neighborhood? Look at building development, environmentalism, traffic/road servicing, and more, and see what people are talking about. Interview different perspectives on the topic and showcase how their opinions differ but could be compromised on.

Analyze how mass media influences peoples’ biases and opinions on controversial issues, and help students cultivate ways to encourage critical thinking about media sources.

Although people are living longer, that doesn’t mean that they’re living healthy. Many people are falling apart, mentally and physically, as they age. Is this biological or something we can treat with physical activity? Talk about the importance of physical health in preserving one’s ongoing health.

Use the following online tool, Exploring Your Cultural Iceberg, to get an understanding of your own visible and hidden cultural characteristics. How would you describe your cultural identity? Revisit this lesson through the lens of cultural identity. For example, how might these scenarios be different between people from different cultures based on how we perceive visible and hidden cultural characteristics?

Consider how the impact global hunger has on your daily life. Perform research on how different regions of the world are struggling with food shortages, offering guided analysis on ways people in your area can assist. What steps can be taken at a local level to make a global impact? Share your findings in the global World Food Prize competition.

Throughout history, leaders, inventors, activists, scientists, and more have been jailed or worse, killed, for their work, often knowing the risks that went into it. Describe why various people are willing to take the ultimate sacrifice to do the work they believe in.

Use a tool like Google Sheets or other spreadsheet program to develop a detailed monthly budget for a year of living in your chosen location. Use formulas and other spreadsheet tools to help track your finances.

Does listening to an audiobook count as “reading”? As one of the fastest growing forms of entertainment in the world, many argue that audiobooks are “cheating”, and that it isn’t the same as reading a book. Have a class discussion about audiobooks. Is it reading? If we say it isn’t reading, what about those who have difficulty reading books for a variety of reasons?

Analyze the science of standing up for yourself. Developing the confidence to speak up and demand action is incredibly difficult, and it’s more difficult for some than others. This research highlights assertiveness and what it means to make these decisions.

Research a concept of “future technology” by contacting an academic at a local or regional university. Find a topic that interests you, conduct an interview, and consider the ethical implications of incorporating this idea. Present this idea!

Analyze your community and consider what it means to have a “good” and “bad” part of town. Create an infographic and/or map that highlights how environmental racism and discrimination has played out in your community.

If this lesson has examples of hostile architecture, what would humane architecture look like? What would a space hold if it were designed to be welcoming, caring, and accepting of everyone?

Focus on athletic wear and/or shoe manufacturers. Using a similar methodology to this lesson, consider sports and individual training. What impact may this have on one’s health (both from wearing the clothes as well as the environmental impact)?

Alternatively, examine a specific sport (football, basketball, volleyball, track & field,etc.), examining the labor practices of manufacturing its products (e.g. a football, uniforms, shoes, field products).

Generate a petition/call to action aimed at a company to change their practices regarding fast fashion.

What will the city of the future look like? Beyond infrastructure and strictly logistics, aesthetics are also incredibly important to a flourishing city. Study different forms of architecture historically and around the world. Then, have students brainstorm their own unique, intriguing, or outright wacky versions of new, modern architecture.