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Description
This resource examines themes related to sustainable communities including, building sustainable infrastructure, managing the effects of climate change, providing inclusive communities, and embracing heritage and culture. Students are presented with real problems from each theme and asked to use creative thinking to come up with solutions.
Groups of 3 to 5 students are provided with a case study outlining a problem from one of these sustainability areas. Students are provided with a design-thinking template and related background information to help them analyze the problem, agree on what should be done and build a physical model to illustrate their sustainability design and solution. After sharing their problem scenarios and solutions with the class, a whole-group discussion takes place based on a series of debriefing questions provided.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This design thinking resource with its emphasis on sustainability is best suited to the Social Studies classroom in order to teach the curriculum outcomes related to community, social justice, and inclusivity. The resource would work best as a final project in order to have the students demonstrate their knowledge of the issues previously discussed.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Knowledge and Employability: Canada - Governance and Citizenship
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) CitizensResponse to Globalization
- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) Globalization & Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-2 (Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-2 (Living in a Globalizing World) Personal Response to Globalization
- Social Studies 10-4 (Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-4 (Living in a Globalizing World) Personal Response to Globalization
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Issues and Governance: Canada’s policies and treatment of minority peoples have negative and positive legacies
- Canadian Issues and Governance: Immigration and multiculturalism continue to shape Canadian society and identity.
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Global Issues and Governance: Complex global problems require international cooperation to make difficult choices for the future.
- Global Issues and Governance: Economic self-interest can be a significant cause of conflict among peoples and governments.
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- People & Places in the World: Global Quality of Life
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Identities: Civics
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Civics 10: Decision - Making and Representation
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Issues
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Identity: Canada’s Changing Identity : Creating a Preferred Future
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 1201: Government and the Economy
- Social Studies 1201: Power, Citizenship, and Change
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Issues and Governance: Canada’s policies and treatment of minority peoples have negative and positive legacies
- Canadian Issues and Governance: Immigration and multiculturalism continue to shape Canadian society and identity.
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Global Issues and Governance: Complex global problems require international cooperation to make difficult choices for the future.
- Global Issues and Governance: Economic self-interest can be a significant cause of conflict among peoples and governments.
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) CitizensResponse to Globalization
- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) Globalization & Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-2 (Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-2 (Living in a Globalizing World) Personal Response to Globalization
- Social Studies 10-4 (Living in a Globalizing World) Personal Response to Globalization
- Social Studies 10-4(Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 6: World Issues
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Citizenship 9: Engaged Citizenship
- Citizenship 9: Global Citizenship
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Rights & Responsibilities
- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) CitizensResponse to Globalization
- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) Globalization & Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-2 (Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Social Studies 10-2 (Living in a Globalizing World) Personal Response to Globalization
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Issues
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interdependence: Atlantic Canada in the Global Community: Citizenship in the Global Community
- Interdependence: Atlantic Canada in the Global Community: Human Rights in the Global Community
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Studies 401A: Canada's Global Connections
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Contemporary World: Environment
- The Contemporary World: Wealth
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canada: Interaction and Interdependence of Nations
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 6: Canada & Our Atlantic Neighbours -Power and Authority
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Issues and Governance: Canada’s policies and treatment of minority peoples have negative and positive legacies
- Canadian Issues and Governance: Immigration and multiculturalism continue to shape Canadian society and identity.
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Global Issues and Governance: Complex global problems require international cooperation to make difficult choices for the future.
- Global Issues and Governance: Economic self-interest can be a significant cause of conflict among peoples and governments.
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
Citizenship (1)
- Community-Building and Participation
Economics (1)
- Poverty Reduction
Human Health & Environment (1)
- Quality of Life
Human Rights (3)
- Environmental Racism/Justice
- Poverty
- Social Justice
