We live in a world in which the future is increasingly more uncertain. In a world that is crying out for change makers, for creative thinkers that are able to identify the needs and problems we face and who are determined to solve those problems and make the world a better place.

The SEED course provides students with the skills and qualities they need to embrace this challenge. It empowers students to contribute to a peaceful and sustainable future by providing them with an understanding of sustainability, systems thinking, and the change-making process through social entrepreneurship. The course allows students to extend their understanding of the world both in a local and global context, while developing the skills and qualities of the UWCSEA profile with a particular focus on commitment to care.

In Grade 6, students begin by learning about sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They think about themselves, their passions and their areas of interest and how these relate to the UN SDGs. Students then learn how to map systems using the Sustainability Compass tool and to use this to deepen their understanding of issues and problems. Grade 6 students were then introduced to the varieties of waste and waste management which include analysis and involvement in UWCSEA waste streams. Through these concepts they identify and experience practical actions that they can adopt into their own lives.

In Grade 7 SEED, students use a range of systems thinking tools to analyse and map systems, and use these tools to identify leverage points in order to propose sustainable solutions. Grade 7, SEED students use a range of systems thinking tools to communicate systems, and use these tools to show their understanding of the impact of working with local service partners in the Singapore community and how our actions can have positive or negative impacts on the environment.

In Grade 8, students use a range of systems thinking tools and through identifying feedback loops within causal maps, students learn to find leverage points in order to propose sustainable solutions to problems. Students are also introduced to social enterprises as a means to address social and environmental issues in sustainable ways and they complete a study based on a Singapore-based social enterprise that provides vocational training to adults with intellectual disabilities

Students are assessed on their knowledge, understanding, and skills within sustainable development, systems thinking, and social entrepreneurship.  Informal formative assessment occurs frequently throughout the course with periodic formal summative assessments. While much of the SEED course involves collaborative group work, students also have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning individually. Throughout the course, students are also assessed on their Approaches to Learning: collaboration, self-management, and communication

The SEED course supports student learning within the UWC philosophy and prepares students to enact on its ideals. This is a three-year course that fosters enterprising individuals who:

• understand how to identify and analyse issues related to sustainability in addition to planning and implementing action

• understand that systems thinking is essential in creating sustainable positive change

• utilise a range of strategies, tools, and processes in order to understand complex systems

• understand how leverage points affect sustainable positive change

• are able to monitor the effectiveness of a system through continual feedback loops

• understand that social entrepreneurs have an intrinsic and moral motivation for and a distinctive approach to problem solving

• understand the components of a sustainable business model that addresses societal and environmental issues

• utilise effective communication to create sustainable positive change