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Ninth Grade Program on Sustainability Takes Off: Focus on Washtenaw Technical Middle College
We are very pleased to be working with our neighbors at Washtenaw Technical Middle College (WTMC) to develop an interdisciplinary ninth grade program focused on sustainability. The program, now underway, is structured as a series of in-depth investigations on key sustainability topics including the Ecological Footprint, food systems, and sustainable communities. Creative Change's ready-made course modules are serving as the basis of the program.
To support the use of our materials, Creative Change is also providing professional development, planning assistance, and evaluation assistance.
Ninth grade social studies teacher Noah Weber shared some of his experience with this initiative this fall. "I have been implementing your materials on an almost daily basis. The article about the depleted Michigan apple harvest, for example, was a perfect lens for us to explore the questions of interdependence and sustainability that have been guiding our discussions throughout the year."
He also shared a story about using a Creative Change lesson called Where Are We Headed?, which introduces the concept of indicators of sustainability. Through the lesson, Noah guided his students to think in systems by highlighting the limitations of framing global challenges as isolated issues.
He asked students to share the biggest take away from this lesson, thinking as social scientists. One of his students responded, "I think the lesson is that we need to consider... everything." Noah reflects, "I thought this was a delightfully simple, yet profound, statement." When students were asked to describe the most challenging aspect of the program in the post evaluation survey, one said that it's "understanding why we have to do things the cheaper way and not the better way."
WTMC provides educational opportunities beyond the traditional high school. Students experience full-time college coursework on the campus of its chartering agency, Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. All graduates complete either an associate degree or a technical certificate in a career area.
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