Interdisciplinary project database

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

Consider how environmental activists use the medium as the message: such as recycled art and art made of trash to symbolize the need for change.

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.

Using Nick Sousanis’ Blind Accessible Comics as a resource, redesign/remix existing art pieces to improve accessibility to art and culture for a range of impairments and disabilities.

Like art, science, and mathematics, our understanding of the body (and exercise) has changed drastically over time. Especially in dieting, many fads have caused ludicrous notions of health and exercise. Explore these ideas, such as tapeworm diets, Olympic Athlete diets (500BC), or the “Chew and Spit” diet.

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.

Scientists are frequently making discoveries that have a wide-ranging impact on society. Consider all of the accidental discoveries that scientists have made. How has this impacted the systems of our society?

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

Investigate how street and subversive art has been used in historical movements, such as Solidarity in Poland, Marcel Duchamp and the Dada movement, Al Weiwei in China, or David Koloane in South African Apartheid.

It can be a very difficult step to analyze bias and privilege in your daily life. Take time to learn about something specific that you hold a stereotype about. Analyze why you hold these beliefs and prepare a report on how they’ve changed as you’ve investigated further.

Exercising is a key part of taking breaks and achieving the right headspace to accomplish daunting tasks. Help students discover ways to take quick breaks: from walking to meditation to dancing to relieve stress and re-focus on their goals.

Develop an action plan to encourage others to give back and promote a sustainable, environmentally-friendly. space. (”How can you appeal to other’s humanity to treat the environment better?”)

Repeat the Value Sort activity (in this lesson) with adults in your community: have students repeat it with parents, have teachers complete it in your building, have different groups in your community complete the value sort. Compare responses: what stands out as notably similar or different? What accounts for generational differences, or those explained by culture, religion, class, ethnic background, etc.?

Achieving a state of calm is paramount to being content. By finding a healthy, manageable, and enjoyable exercise, we can relax and de-stress. Perform a series of basic exercises to help students find ways to expel energy.

“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!

Continue the examination of cultural values with resources from Gallup. Gallup has tracked global well-being and happiness over time. What factors contribute to well-being? What is the relationship between GDP and well-being? Why do some regions of the world report higher levels of well-being than others?

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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What systems impact our health? What about systems beyond individual control? We often consider diet and exercise as mainstream ways to improve our health, but what about societal factors? Consider other concepts like air and water pollution, access to gym and outdoor spaces, use of cars and public transportation, city design, safety, and more — and consider how your community could be a healthier system.

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?

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?

What is the poverty line where you live? What structural and systemic economic, social, and political barriers keep people in poverty? Research the factors that produce inequality and poverty in your community, state, or country.

Expressing art through dance and modern interpretative dance has both fascinated and confused audiences. Watch “Youth - Daughter || Bonnie Su Dance Choreography.” Reflect on how dance can be used to signify concepts, such as how this dance signifies the images we see on social media.

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!

Explore how time is relative. How, scientifically, does this work? What is time dilation? Does this mean that time travel is possible? How is it possible to even understand the concept of space-time as a human?

In many countries around the world the minimum voting age is between 16-18. But is that minimum voting age fair, should it be raised or lowered? What are the arguments for or against raising or lowering the minimum voting age? What would be the benefits or the costs? What about society would look different as a result?

Develop a committee that focuses on student’s interpretations of success and happiness in the school. How many students have realistic expectations for what they want to do? Provide resources for students to help them achieve happiness.

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.

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.

How does street art tie into the financial elements of vandalism? What is the cost of street art, and why is it that some spaces want to rid buildings of it and others pay to have it done professionally?

Standing up for yourself goes beyond being willing to take a stand in-person. Increasingly, hatred and bullying finds itself almost entirely online, especially in anonymized spaces. Conduct an independent investigation of how cyberbullying emerges in your community, offering countermeasures for other young people to take and presenting on these ideas.

Consider the impact that hostile architecture has not only on people, but on the environment. For example, spikes are added to the ledges of buildings to prevent birds from gathering and dirtying walls. How does this impact the ecosystem?

Connect with one of the volunteer organizations in your community that is connected to one of your personal goals. Network with members of the organization to figure out how to accomplish your long-term goals and become more involved in the organization.