A while back, the ISTE International School Twitter slow chat (#ISTEIntSch) took place, and it was all about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they relate to the ISTE Standards. I’m very familiar with the ISTE standards, but I had never heard of the SDGs. I was glad I dove in and participated in the chat to learn more. If you’re unfamiliar with them, keep reading. You’ll be glad you did, too!
The SDGs are a set of 17 goals designed by the United Nations to help the world become a better place (and reach the Sustainable Development Agenda) by 2030. The idea is that everyone everywhere- governments, private sectors, and individuals like you- can do small and big things to make our world more sustainable. These are real problems we’re facing as a planet that requires real solutions.
But how can individuals, including teachers and students, make an impact with the SDGs?
Cue TeachSDGs.
Teach Sustainable Development Goals
TeachSDGs was developed to further the mission of the United Nations and the SDGs. The TeachSDGs website has a number of resources for educators, including places for teachers to connect and numerous projects to check out and get your students involved with. If you’re already doing passion projects or other problem-based learning opportunities in your classroom, you’ve got a perfect opportunity to pull in the SDGs. Talk about helping our students become active, empathetic citizens who can think critically and creatively?!
There’s also a really well-done app you can download to learn more about the SDGs, the targets within each of the 17 goals, and current projects going on around the world. The app describes the SDGs as “the world’s to-do list to end poverty, reduce inequalities and tackle climate change.” I love that definition!
Get Involved
So how can you learn more and get involved?
- Visit theTeachSDGs website and check out the resources.
- Follow along with #TeachSDGs, @TeachSDGs, @TheGlobalGoals, and #GlobalGoals on Twitter
- Start or join a project with your students today!
So, what do you think of the SDGs? How will you incorporate the SDGs into your schools?
Tech To You Later!
-Katie
*The SDG logo and images are used with permission. To view the UN guidelines for use of the SDG logos, please click here. Talk Tech With Me supports the Sustainable Development Goals