Unite All Schools

Unite Schools Virtual Exchange Spring 2025

Unite All Shools' Virtual Exchange Spring module, Global Goals, focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students' case studies covered a range of topics spanning from entrepreneurship, sanitation, climate change, environmental conservation, quality education, and food security. Some participants also used generative AI for creating digital books for their Digital Storytelling projects. Program Activities: The Spring Virtual Exchange Module implemented the following activities during the 8-week long module:

1. Live Synchronous Meetings: Schools were grouped in 6 small groups called circles. The circles met every other weekly for 1 hour long sessions. During the sessions, participants engaged in facilitated discussions on topics related to:

   • Economics Prosperity & Equity: This session covered the ripples of economic growth and the continued challenges in closing the disparity within nations and between countries. Topics questions focused on poverty alleviation, economic inequality and its impacts in society; local and national policies and measures in place to ensure equity for all.
   • Climate and the Environment: This topic explored and discussed the existential challenges of climate change and its impacts on the people and the environment. Participants used tools to assess their carbon footprint and researched policies and resources supporting CO2 abatement and sustainable living.
   • Innovation and Sustainability: This third session builds on the previous two to explore innovative solutions to inclusive, sustainable communities through the lenses of the 17 SDGs. The discussion explored ambitious projects like the Lile/NEOM project, greenhouse farming, vertical farming, hydroponics, and aquaponics farming solutions for sustainable agriculture and efficient energy consumption.

2. Online Interaction: In addition to the asynchronous sessions, the circles connected via our online technology platform where they collaboratively engaged in weekly forum discussions and shared project updates on their case studies.

3. Place-based Case Studies: Several standout projects emerged during the exchange. Here are some highlights:

A. Compost Toilet: Innovative compost toilet project by students from Kinoni, Uganda

Check out Video Here

B. Mangroves conservation project by United Planet club in Zanzibar, Tanzania:

The Lumumba United Planet Club is a student club in Lumumba school, established on 20th March 2024. The club aims to promote sustainable environmental conservation through tree planting, cleanups and community awareness. With just 12 members in March 2024, the club has grown to 58 active members in less than a year. The club is guided by four pillars which are Innovation, Education, Environment and Exchange (IE3). Its principal activities are mangrove planting, garden care, conservation of endangered plants, participating in virtual exchange programs, participating in science and mathematics competitions and providing a career in climate change for students from various schools.  Lumumba Secondary school has been participating in United Planet’s Virtual Exchange Program since 2020.

C. Investigating the causes of PISA score drop in Finland by students from Helsingin Kielilukio - Finland

It’s apparent that Finland ranked in the top list of countries leading sustainable development. However, one key area raised concerns for students to investigate was its  education system. Finland’s PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) scores, which assess students’ average score in math, reading and science, has been declining since 2000.

Their findings suggest the following to likely be the cause of the decline:

• Social media and phones take away children's attention from school 
• Using laptops in school settings 
• Finnish schools’ cultural differences (attitudes towards learning)
• Teaching methods/standards 
• Social pressures to get good grades is not as high 
• Students are not interested
• 2016: Students’ role change (>independency brings decision power)
• Phenomenal fundamental learning methods (cannot be easily graded by PISA)
• Mathematics: Emphasis on problem solving, but not on basics 
• Emphasis on creativity & critical thinking- PISA does not evaluate

D. #We Are Lit project by students from Vidyamandir Trust, Palanpur, India

Purv Joshi and his team of Program participants conduct a literacy workshop. The team was featured in the local news and tv which in this Video. One of the aha moments for Purv and his team was when one of the adult students learned to write his own name for the first time. 

E. Students at Concord International School, Egypt, turning old tires and other recyclables into usable items.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful virtual exchange program organized. It was truly an enriching experience for our students, and we are so grateful for the effort, care, and dedication that went into making this program - Israa, teacher at Concord International, Egypt.

United Planet’s Virtual Exchange Program provides a unique opportunity for schools and participants especially in rural areas and equity deserving communities to connect, exchange, and learn from their global peers which they otherwise would not have the opportunity to do.

It is a great honour to be given this opportunity to help students have an international understanding and connection that they badly miss here. We won't ever thank you enough but we really appreciate the opportunity - John Ssentamu, President, Rotary Club of Kinoni, Uganda.

Possibilities Ahead:

We are witnessing exultant achievements of the Program. The aim of the Virtual Exchange Program goes beyond the short-term personal and/or academic accomplishments. The long-term vision is to cultivate a sense of agency and ownership locally. This is indeed happening with some of the schools. It’s like getting a rocket into orbit and that is what Lumumba Secondary Schools and Rotary Club of Kinoni  have done with the launch of ambitious United Planet clubs in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Kinoni, Uganda committing to spearhead local initiatives for climate change and environmental conservation.

Our goal is to make the Program accessible to all equity-deserving schools and call for your continued support in providing them with scholarships to help cover the participation fee. We are grateful and thank you for your generous support.

Links:

• Learn More About Unite All Schools Virtual Exchange Program
• Support Our Program