Interdisciplinary project database

Jigsaw: Open Societies

Investigate this task force by Google which is exploring threats to open societies, focusing on how technology can lead to a safer Internet and world.

Art for Change

Climate-themed art is no new concept, but #Fridaysforfuture lends the trend a new urgency and a heightened need for real-life application.” Check out how artists are communicating the need to act on climate change and create your own #FridaysForFuture art contribution!

Inclusive Design

Learn about inclusive design in digital spaces and revisit this lesson to rewrite scripts with digital spaces in mind. For example, how does a visually impaired person navigate their social media feed or use their mobile phone? How can we help make digital spaces more inclusive of people from different backgrounds and abilities?

Sports Stereotypes

Consider the impact of stereotypes and biases in regards to gender, disability, race, religion, and more in regards to sports and competitions. Why do people hold these viewpoints? What can be done to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and justly?

Math and Music

Math is all around us, especially in music. Continue to study how music theory is connected to mathematics, creating a presentation that helps those see the relevancy between the two subjects.

The Value of English Majors

Paraphrase or have students read the article, Here's Why We're Underestimating The Value Of English Majors, and discuss the value of studying English/Language Arts/Humanities at university.

Religious Navigation

Continue to examine how various religions interact in the world today, especially how these impact countries: their politics, culture, economies, and more. How do leaders navigate the world stage in light of various faiths?

Surveillance and Propaganda

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

Hemingway Editing

Consider how writers pair down their ideas into the simplest form, recognizing the power of concrete, quick examples. For example, use the Hemingway Editor and consider how it can be used. Is it always useful?

Spent

Play the online free web "game", Spent, to understand how people become homeless. It simulates the decisions that people make (and the catastrophes that happen) that cause homelessness.

Small to Big

Making a difference starts by taking initiative. Consider the positive impact of even the most minor actions. By yourself or with a group of like-minded peers, identify a community need and begin a service action campaign, such as picking up litter at a local park or helping a local food bank. Help others join this initiative with you by offering on-ramps to easily team up!

Capturing Voice

Use different media - video essays, works of fiction, poetry, graphic novel memoirs, etc. - to analyze how people capture their “voice” and express their personalities. What makes that voice unique and different from someone else?

Design Thinking

Consider how the design thinking process compares to the Scientific Method. Is there a possibility that one could replace the other? Read this challenge from the Oxford University Press.

4 Day Workweek

As people begin to demand more opportunities for personal time, more and more workplaces are offering 4 day workweeks. What impact does this have on the world? Examine how this practice impacts society.

Full Conversation

How do we know that someone is truly paying attention to us? How do we communicate that we are hearing them? Present different ways in which one can have a full conversation with other people, identifying distractions or charismatic faults that may interfere with positive communication.

Highlighting the Errors of the Past

Positive intentions often have unforeseen consequences. Have students research various attempts at solving the world’s problems, such as global poverty, women’s rights, climate change, or militarization, highlighting how a positive action without proper research could lead to disastrous outcomes. Then, compose an art piece that exemplifies this danger.

Climate Change "Trolley Problems"

Relate a "trolley problem" to the environmental crisis. Climate change is a major problem facing the world’s population and it is likely that individual actions will need to change to create a sustainable society. Are individuals willing to give up daily actions they take for granted? Is this the only way to solve the problem?

Relax

Taking time to decompress is a vital part of accomplishing goals. Although it may seem counterintuitive, knowing how to relax is just as important as working toward a goal. Work with peers to start a program focused on mindfulness, socializing, and meeting up together for fun activities.

How can we realistically feed the world?

Read the opinion piece To feed the world in 2050 will require a global revolution by Ehrlich & Harte, which highlights the challenges to mobilize governments to make the necessary changes to solve food insecurity and hunger. Consider the claims by the authors: is their reasoning valid? What will it take to overcome these challenges?

Beyond Scientific "Canon"

When most learners think of science, they consider people like Charles Darwin or Albert Einstein. In most curriculums, the specific people we focus on learning about are from Western countries (e.g. the United Kingdom, France, and USA) and male.

Highlight the contributions of female scientists and non-Western thinkers. Who are they?

Perceptions of Graffiti

Consider the science of street art and graffiti. There are some that see graffiti as disorderly and unkept, while others see it as a sign of beauty. This study considers the context of one’s identity and upbringing and their perception of graffiti.

Learning Differences

Organize a class trip to a local site of faith, for example a Buddhist temple or a Islamic mosque. Work with local community leaders to establish a program on learning about the faith, including how the core beliefs of the religion and the ways they give back to the community. Create pamphlets to encourage your peers to attend.

Modern Art

What makes modern art valuable? In the past, art was typically contracted — and the value of the materials and time it took to create determined its value. Now, it is up to the interpretation of the viewer and owner to decide its value. Have the class examine these contemporary modern art pieces: are they valuable? What makes them beautiful? Not beautiful?

Reliable Nutrition

Finding reliable health and nutrition information is incredibly difficult. There is so much mis- and disinformation about health, nutrition, and fitness. How do you know what to trust? Create a health misinformation guide with students to sort out what is reliable from what is false or potentially harmful. To show that they know the tricks, have them use those tips to create their own health and nutrition disinformation ad or video.

Highlighting Dialects

Embracing the different languages of the world can lead to a flourishing, multicultural society. However, there is a fear that these languages will “replace” the mainstream language of the area. Showcase your community’s various speakers and dialects, highlighting the importance of a diverse community.

Personal Challenge

Develop a plan to tackle a personal or community challenge. What steps will you need to take in order to get there? What actions can you take within a certain number of weeks to make a difference? Log your progress and take on the challenge!

Fiction Novels

The power of the written word is something steadfast in human history. Novels, poetry, and speeches have transformed our society and culture. What can you contribute? Brainstorm and begin writing your own work, such as a fiction novel.

Addressing World Hunger

Read about the various ways that world hunger is associated with other UN Sustainable Development Goals (beyond feeding the world), such as 15) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. How can war impact the ability to supply food around the world? Have students trace and document different examples of how the food supply chain is negatively impacted by various undesirable events.

Interpreting Life Through Art

Similar to the language art extension, explore the idea of subjectivity in art and the artist's personality in interpreting life events through art. For example, tarot card readings, the impact of WW1 on visual arts, or Picasso's art periods.

Walkable Cities

Analyze the impact of walkable cities on where one chooses to live. How much of a health difference does it make to work in an area where you can walk and commute to work? To the places you want to go? What about access to public transportation?

Neurodiversity

Learn about how body language presents itself for autistic people. Consider how this information differs from what was presented in the lesson below. How can we use this information to inform others about neurodiversity? How does this challenge our assumptions? 

Focus Groups

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.