Interdisciplinary project database

What does it mean to be “creative”? Many people describe themselves as “not being a creative” person, but there’s much more to this idea than simply drawing. Have students deconstruct the term, showcasing how “creativity” is utilized in everything from art to accounting, as well as in various cultures and contexts.

Just as mathematical concepts have changed over time, so has our understanding of art. Consider how the use of color has changed in significance and practice. In addition to understanding color theory, our historical knowledge of colors adds additional significance and holistic understanding of our world.

Reach out to local businesses and establish a school “job fair”, where learners practice job interview schools with interested companies.

Arcology is a future-driven building initiative to create self-sustaining communities, usually in the form of large, multi-faceted skyscrapers. Check out this link which provides information about the practice. What stands out to students? Is this a viable practice? What would be the alternatives?

Negotiations on the world stage require many moving parts. Examine a recent international negotiation by your country, such as a trade agreement or defense agreement. Who were the key players? What was being negotiated? Did both sides get everything that they wanted? Did their respective populace agree with the compromise?

Analyze how graffiti artists move their craft from sketches to spray painting, highlighting how professional graffiti artists hone their craft. Then, demonstrate and create projects together using these techniques.

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.

Music, rhythm, math, and lyricism are all intrinsically connected. Learn about how lyric-based music, especially rap and hip hop, utilize language to convey meaning and messaging, all-the-while adhering to strict rules about rhythm (and therefore, math)!

Learn about how linguists use the scientific method to understand the use of, and develop of, language. Utilize this technique to analyze audio files and determine dialects, regions, or language development.

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?

What is “linguistic racism”, and “what happens when accent discrimination creeps into our conscious and unconscious…what do we do about our biases?”

How do we break our perspective’s “bubble”? Assign a reading with reflection that goes against one’s opinion or preconceived notions. Of course, students may not change their mind — but challenging their perspective allows them to grow their ideas and consider new possibilities.

For students who struggle with illustration, art can be a daunting task. Challenge students to create collages using magazines and other print media, teaching the principles of design that let the artwork flourish.

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!

Consider the science of how stereotypes are formed. Are these natural occurrences? How are they unlearned? What is the purpose of stereotyping and why is it important to break away from them?

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? 

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.

Watch “How This Guy Uses A.I. to Create Art | Obsessed | WIRED”. What is fascinating about this clip? Consider the idea: is it possible for artificial intelligence to create art on its own? If so, is this art as valuable as human-created art? Why or why not?

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!

We’ve seen what body language looks like through a few examples in the lesson below, but how else do we look when we experience emotion? Have students act out various emotions, from being tired and angry to joyful and gleeful.

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Consider the concept of scale. What about…infinite scale? As something impossible for humans to perceive, we’ve always been fascinated with the idea of infinite space. Conduct research and prepare a presentation, art piece, or community dialogue on why it’s worth exploring the idea of infinity.

Talk about the concept of math anxiety. How can we create classrooms where students aren’t afraid to challenge themselves with mathematics? Present options on how math can connect to personal goals and experiences.

Standing up for yourself also means standing up for others, especially on community issues. Identify a problem that you see in your community and connect with other activists to demand change. Join a campaign or start one yourself to bring awareness to a problem and lend your expertise in a certain way (such as through art, marketing, or organizing).

As described throughout the lesson below - rhythm, music, and mathematics are heavily connected. Learn about the history of keys, chords, and musical notation, with a specific focus on the Greek philosopher Pythagoras who was “instrumental” in creating these ideas!

Reach out to members of your community and survey how they use social media. What are your findings? Summarize and display these ideas to educate others on how social media can be used for good (or perhaps not!)

What impact does the fast fashion industry have on a community's economic well-being? Answer the question: Is the fast fashion industry’s profit worth the human price? How would removing the fast fashion industry (or changing business practices such as wages) impact a company’s profits?

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?

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).

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.

Research methods of allyship and informing others on positive ways to counteract the stereotype threat, including having conversations, bringing people together, and practicing anti-racism.

The concepts of rhythm, balance, repetition, and harmony are not only musical concepts, but ideas explored throughout art. Demonstrate how these ideas apply to visuals and challenge students to represent these ideas in their work.

Utilizing games can help us make sense of complex ideas. In business and nonprofit work, it is common to develop simple trading card ideas to think abstractly and come to solutions. Develop your own board or trading card game which has the goal of teaching something.