Perform an audit of your physical spaces (appearance, entrances, fixtures, safety, etc.) using some of the guidelines of universal design in physical spaces. Is the environment appealing, welcoming, and accessible to those with a variety of cultural backgrounds, ages, abilities, and other characteristics? Create an action plan to address areas of improvement.

Consider the impact of the environment on one’s health. Why is it that certain demographics have certain health issues, diagnosis, etc.? What impact does community safety and environmental racism have on health outcomes?

Research and read about their favorite or currently worn clothing manufacturer. Do they have a production ethics statement? If so, what is it? Is there any information about the company withholding or breaking this statement around the world? Write a statement of ethics for a clothing company you operate. Or, amend an existing clothing company’s ethics statement.

Consider how interconnected (and not connected) different types of artwork are. For example, are anime artists intertwined in the same “bubble” as fine artists? What are the preconceived notions about different types of art? What would happen if these ideas were blended together?

Check out excerpts of The Mathematical Essence of Aging from Theoretically Speaking. Think about how much mathematics is intertwined with the way we live every single day. Why does this knowledge matter?

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.

Why is it that we learn about math in the way we do? As in, why do we learn about algebra and geometry and trigonometry? What is the point of abstract or conceptual math? 

Dive into a discussion surrounding why we utilize conceptual math, and the debate surrounding changing the mathematics curriculum.

Examine discriminatory behavior in the field of mathematics. Although this is rapidly changing, a social norm exists across most of the world that STEM subjects are reserved primarily for men. Look at concepts like the stereotype threat and consider how this applies to the subject you teach. Offer a class discussion on the ideas

Compare a historical textbook (e.g. using Archive.org or materials from previous years) and compare what was learned and how history was taught in the past versus what was learned and how history is taught now.

Why is it that we learned about things differently in the past? Was there anything we were incorrect about? What implications does this have for learning history?

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!)

Analyze charts and other data to recognize how we can go about feeding the world by 2050 (as our population exponentially increases). Think about what steps young people can take to ensure that these changes happen.

There’s beauty in language. Many languages and dialects have specific words, phrases, and concepts that only exist in their background. Figure out what these words and grammatical rules are and talk about their importance.

Students will be conversing with AI using this website. They will first read a conversation between a human and AI, and then they will have a conversation with AI themselves. They will need to think of questions to ask AI, and AI will respond accordingly. This lesson will help students understand how AI works and how it can be used in conversation.

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.

Oftentimes, artists are their worst critic, and keeping hope as an artist is especially difficult. Check out this article on overcoming the myth of the “starving artist”, which argues that modern day artists thrive and earn livable wages in stable careers.

“Tenacity” is often cited as a way of knowing defined by tradition: something is true because it has always been considered true. Authority and intuition are also cited as ways of knowing. What makes science stand out in its foundations, methods, and criteria from other ways of knowing and understanding the world?

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

In Western Art, orientalism can appear as an imitation of artistic styles found in the Middle East, Asia, and even Africa, but can sometimes exist as stereotypical portrayals of Eastern societies and cultures as exotic, mysterious, alluring, and/or threatening. Help students find examples of orientalism in Western art and how to avoid stereotyping Eastern cultures in their own art.

Analyze the chemicals used within the fast fashion industry. How does wearing these clothes impact one’s body? Consider operating a lab that studies the impact of wearing different clothes, with their materials and production components, on one’s body.

Have a class discussion on the concept of equity vs. equality. Is it fair that some have access to achieving their personal goals, while others will have a much more difficult time due to a lack of resources? What can citizens, communities, and the government do to ensure that everyone has a fair shot?

Learn about how governments crack down on subversive art and examine how artists should be dealt with, after all – graffiti is an illegal activity in many areas of the world. How does this correspond to anti-social forms of graffiti, such as gang tagging?

Read about how school affects burn out. This guide written for teachers can be analyzed with students to identify pain points, recognize ways to improve the classroom, and have an open dialogue about stress and frustration.

Demonstrate how artists have been inspired by global art movements over time. Showcase how the development of art movements and intersection of regional developments has led to masterful works over decades and centuries.

Showcasing random acts of kindness is a great first step to thinking about the impact one can make on the world. Have students write a simple act they can take today on a note card, sharing this with each other and committing to making a difference.

What is a classic book? Why is it that we read certain books and not others typically during our school years? 

Determine if these labels make sense and if books should be added or removed. Does it make sense to have a canon?

Art is an intimidating subject for many students. Demonstrate how artists have been judged and rejected over the years, despite being fundamental to their field.

Conduct a walking tour of your local community. As you explore the city, have students document the concepts in this lesson: third places, green spaces, infrastructure, and more. As you walk around and explore, talk about the highlights of the city, any history you’re aware of, and connect with local residents.

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.

This is a powerful article from mathematics educator and author Sunil Singh on the Western narrative entrenched in mathematics education. Whose cultural narrative is the narrative of mathematics? Why do more children know about Newton than, say, Brahmagupta?

Use your collected value lists to generate a list of collective commitments - beliefs and actions agreed upon by staff and students - that can guide classroom decision-making and culture. Generate 3-4 commitments each for yourself, peers, and adults.

How are values built into physical and digital spaces? Examine your immediate surroundings, take inventory of how your space is arranged, what hangs on the walls and ceilings, what objects seem to have the most or least importance, what does the space communicate about who is valued, etc. Make a list of values and importance that is derived from your observations. What changes can you make to this space to have it reflect different values?

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