Kids can be a Global Hero

There are many global issues facing us today without clear-cut or easy solutions. The Global Heroes Team Challenge© program is designed to involve our children, tomorrow’s leaders, in searching for creative, realistic and actionable alternatives and solutions.

Overview
Global issues represent threats to the status quo, but also provide opportunities to correct situations that are potentially harmful to the planet, to humanity and/or
to all life on the planet. Global Heroes Team Challenge© promotes active, positive involvement of our youth to find new, creative solutions to these problems. The Challenge is open to middle and high school students.

Global Heroes Team Challenge© is intended to:
➢ Bring awareness of potential issues facing us and the planet
➢ Encourage research to understand the causes of the issues
➢ Consider the downstream implications of the issues
➢ Propose creative, realistic and actionable alternatives or solutions
➢ Present the team’s conclusions in a creative format

Global Heroes Team Challenge© gives students an opportunity to apply classroom learning and research skills to a real world issue. As a self-directed student activity it promotes self-esteem, cooperation and creative problem solving. Creativity is encouraged in considering potential solutions as well as presenting the team’s findings and conclusions in an interesting, informative and potentially entertaining way.

The Teams
Students volunteer to be on a team, as self-motivation is a key factor for success in self-directed team projects. The team, composed of 4-6 students, will work cooperatively and in a self-guided manner. They will select the question to be addressed, set the ground rules for the team (how often to meet, code of conduct, etc.) and determine a timeline for completion. They also will design, execute and present the team’s conclusion, which can be in written, visual (art, display boards, etc.) and/or dramatic (skit, music, video) form.

The Coaches
The Team Coach, typically a teacher, keeps the team moving forward, resolves issues and answers any specific questions posed to him or her, but does not offer suggestions, ask leading questions or solve the problem for the team. Coaches offer encouragement and helps keep the team stay on its timeline.

Support coaches are teachers or other adults in various disciplines that act as resources for the team, answering specific questions posed by the team. For example, a science coach could assist in explaining a particular scientific concept. An English coach, and possibly an art or music coach, could provide guidance in crafting the final presentation. Support coaches, like the team coach, cannot influence the content or direction of the team’s project.

The Schools
Schools are encouraged to have their teams present their project and findings to the student body in an assembly or other format. All teams are welcomed and encouraged to present and display their findings at the Green Earth Expo 2008, held at the Orange County Convention Center on May 16, 17 or 18. Teams will be given a specific day and time to make their presentation.

The Questions
Global Heroes Team Challenge© presents intentionally vague questions that relate to current or potential global issues for teams to work on. Each question has many implications and areas of impact. Each team will select just one aspect of one question to research, analyze and discuss. Determining which aspect to focus on, and which potential solution is the most realistic and actionable will require debate, decision making and consensus of all team members. Addressing these questions in a team challenge format not only helps students build awareness of, and expertise on, these issues, but also develops skills such as positive collaboration, creative problem solving, and persuasive presentation.

The Solutions
The team’s recommended solution must be realistic, implemented with current technologies, safe for the earth and all life forms, sustainable and economically feasible. Recommended solutions are to be prepared both in written and presentation form. The written report must be typed, single space 12 point, and 5 to 10 pages long, including attachments. The presentation should be creative, persuasive, clear and concise. Presentations can be physical displays, works of art, dance or music, skits, videos or other creative expression. Physical presentations must not exceed 3 feet wide, 3 feet deep and 6 feet high. Performance presentations must not exceed 4 minutes. Teams may not spend more than $ 25 on props or supplies.

The Reward
We believe that every team that works together to find new solutions to the questions posed is a winner. Therefore, there is no competition or awarding of medals in this challenge. All teams and coaches are recognized for their effort and willingness to look for ways to help the Earth and all life upon it.

Stay tuned for more details or contact Kathy at kathy.ford@globalgreenalliance.com 407-340-4370.