Connected Curriculum

My Sustainable World

The budding scientists, journalists, artists and innovators of our fabulous Year 10 cohort excelled themselves in this year’s Sustainable World Connected Curriculum group projects. After a week of research, a guest panel discussion, workshops with industry and community representatives and intensive collaboration, groups of five found positive ways to address some of the most intransigent issues facing our environment. Supported by a team of environmental experts who answered student questions online, the Year 10s devised solutions and developed an awareness which will benefit our whole community in the years to come. 

We are very grateful to the parents and community members who gave their time to come and share their expertise with the students. The week kicked off with an expert panel presentation followed by a Q&A where Year 10 students asked questions about their chosen aspect of sustainable living on Planet Earth. Chris Wright (journalist and CEO of ClimateTracker), Frank Robeson from Ausgrid, (EV Manager), Fahimah Badrulhisham (climate change community organiser), Byron Smith (ethicist and researcher into the psychological impact of climate change) and 2021 Fortian and climate strike organiser Dani Villafana provided the students with an informed perspective of our planet’s situation, prospects and needs. On the afternoon of the first day the students divided into groups on the basis of their Year 11 subject choices: students choosing humanities subjects played the “Climate Fresk” game, learning about the science behind global heating and the interconnectedness of planetary ecosystems; students of legal studies and economics discussed the ethics and legality of various responses to global heating; students studying three sciences viewed the first episode of Craig Reucassel’s miniseries Fight for Planet A, deepening their scientific knowledge. Later in the week representatives of each group participated in their choice of one of five specialist workshops on media skills, sustainable business management, regenerative design, workplace sustainability and political art-making, led by industry experts Lai Heng Foong, Jeanne-Vida Douglas, Nicole Wong and Rodney Monk respectively. At the end of the week students presented their innovations to their classes, and selected finalists presented in the final session to Fortian parent and CEO of The Growth Activists Rosanna Iacona, who was impressed by the depth and persuasiveness of the groups’ ideas and communication skills.  Students have since reported a greater confidence in our ability to maintain a liveable ecosphere. 

We would also like to give a big thank you to Mr Galvin, Mr Sherwin and Ms Maddox for their extensive work organising the Connected Curriculum and ensuring that the week ran smoothly. We also thank all the other teachers who gave up a week of their time to help run and supervise the program.

Minton Huynh, Emily Jin and Lily Vujovic

Year 10