Interdisciplinary project database

Models of the Past/Future

When considering city planning, it’s worthwhile to imagine our communities in the past or in the future. Either by conducting historical research or by looking at upcoming initiatives, create a model of your community in the past or future. Document how it differs from today and why that matters.

Mediums of Dance

Similarly to art, the way one moves one’s body, both in traditional sports as well as dance, highlight the need for rhythm, balance, repetition, and harmony. Examine how these ideas connect across a variety of physical mediums.

Social Media Advertising

Using your knowledge of the algorithm, research how these concepts could be used to advertise a business or nonprofit. Partner with a local organization, offering to manage their social media, developing a content and branding strategy to increase engagement.

Cross Influence of Math + Science

The way mathematics was applied to study these different concepts was often used to advance science, specifically exploring the Earth. Demonstrate how different mathematical inquiries led to scientific breakthroughs in astronomy, cartography, and oceanography.

Outside the "Timeline"

Learn about major historical events that occur in another country that are rarely, if ever, spoken about in your country’s curriculum. Consider if these historical events matter to you, and if the historical events of your country would impact them.

Green Space

Perform additional research about green spaces, third spaces, and other forms of city planning. Dive into a deep analysis of your community and see what types of spaces are available. What changes could be made? Prepare a full blueprint or model and present it to local stakeholders.

Negotiation

Consider negotiation in the spirit of financial decision-making. When one needs to make a large purchase with the approval of a partner, or perhaps is negotiating with their own company, they need to have the proper knowledge to 1) know how to negotiate numbers, and 2) understand how they can adjust numbers as needed.

Science and Faith

Consider how scientists work together with their faith, recognizing that many scientists are religious, such as through intelligent design theory. Point to times in which science and faith have been in conflict, both historically and in current events.

Modifying Trading Card Games

Let students brainstorm issues in their community, then analyze the game played in the lesson below. How could it be modified, improved, and transformed? Write new instructions and explain to each other how to play, including the new issues as additional cards.

Sustainable Art

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.

Contentious Issues

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.

Community Mapping | Green Space

Having access to quality green spaces ensures that community members have healthier, more desirable places to live. Make a map of your community that highlights all of the areas that could be renovated, demolished, or rezoned for green space. Consider the impact on the community (including the areas that you’re changing), and whether or not these green spaces are worthwhile. Present this to local stakeholders.

Competitive Education

Read this article summarizing points in the book, Excellent Sheep, which talks about the obsession with US ivy league schools. Consider: does a competitive education bring us happiness?

Why Do We Age?

Consider how and why we age biologically. Using scientific data, examine the ideas presented during this lesson and consider if it’s actually possible to expand one’s lifespan. And if so, how much we don’t know about the process.

Familial Contexts

Partner up with another family and analyze each other’s lifestyle. Learn about what they do everyday, their family traditions, and what they enjoy doing. Compare and contrast how this differs from your own. If time, expand this analysis to other families to showcase and celebrate the differences of your classroom community.

Scale

Consider the concept of scale. How much larger is a building in your community to a person? The land mass of your city to your country? Earth to Jupiter? Explore the mathematical possibilities of scale (and with it, distance!)

History of Shifting Goals

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?

Audiobooks

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?

Visualizing Complex Ideas

Doodling can help us take complex ideas and get them on paper. Seeing all of these ideas at once helps us visualize concepts and break them down.

Task students with considering all the things that they want to accomplish in their life. Have them write these ideas on paper, then doodle/draw sketches of each.

Counting "Right"

Check out “Why you might be counting in the wrong language” by Anand Jagatia, which summarizes the idea of a base-10 counting system (having a set structure for stating different decimals). Consider with students: why is it that math is practiced and stated in different ways around the world? How has math developed over time in different areas of the world?

Understanding Philosophy Through Art

Examine one of the philosophies showcased in this lesson. Create a self-portrait that incorporates the stories, fables, meanings, and concepts of this given philosophy, interpreting these ideas into art. Use this artwork to inform and inspire change through understanding and action.

Creating a "Trolley Problem"

Have students create presentations on “wicked problems” (problems that aren't easily solved), presenting the scenario of a specific "trolley problem" and advocating for positions on both sides, allowing them to moderate a healthy debate among students. Consider if the Trolley would need to "run" at all.

Hostile Architecture

Examine ways in which hostile architecture is harmful to everyone based on where you live. In many cases, this would be a local metro area with a larger population.

Amplifying Student Voice

Student Voice is an organization that amplifies student perspectives to change the education system and the world. Read, listen, and analyze one or more of the pieces of student journalism from their website. What are these student journalists focused on? What does their perspective add to the coverage of important topics and events? How can we help amplify student voice in similar ways?

"Perfect" Language

Analyze what the “perfect” form of your language is. Why is it perceived this way? What does it mean? Where is it found? What is its history?

The Cost of Socials

Analyze the impact and efficacy of utilizing social media for marketing. How much would it cost to implement a social media campaign for a hypothetical business? Is it worth paying, or should it all be organic (word of mouth) advertising? How much money would we need to make an impact?

Property Values

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.

Biotechnology and World Hunger

Consider the impact of biotechnology on world hunger. Will the implementation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) alleviate the hunger crisis? Is there any danger to the production and consumption of GMOs?

History of Math

Consider the rich history of mathematics in its various forms, such as geometry and trigonometry. Prepare a community presentation that details how different mathematicians expanded on our understanding of the world.

Screen Readers

Many people who have difficulty seeing or reading information on computers use screen readers to browse the Internet. However, many websites are not designed properly for these screen readers to function. Learn about accessible web design. Perform an audit of your school’s (or community’s) website(s) and offer suggestions to increase accessibility.

The Creative Process

Find and read the accounts of artists describing their creative process. Find the similarities and differences in their processes, and brainstorm how tenacity and grit fit in.

Alternatively, interview artists at any level about their creative process. Share with them your understanding of this lesson and ask them how tenacity and grit fit into how they create art!

Historical Biases

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.)