Our CAS project, "It’s Better Than It Seems," was meant to raise awareness of the positive development the world has experienced. We realized that the majority of people have a negative attitude toward global development, most of the time due to the way bad news dominates the media. Our goal was to eliminate such myths by researching from students and teachers, comparing their opinions with actual global statistics, and presenting our results in a video.

We began by creating a carefully thought-out plan, assigning specific roles to team members to ensure a smooth delivery of work. The first step was to create a Google Form with questions similar to those in GapMinder, measuring people’s assumptions regarding global trends. We also asked school administrators for permission to survey during advisory periods and assemblies. To guarantee the best possible video, we made use of social media, classroom visits, and classroom assistance. After collecting enough feedback, we analyzed the data, comparing student and teacher opinion with real figures.

One of the greatest challenges was having students complete the survey. Initially, response rates were not as high as hoped, so we adapted by approaching students directly in advisory classes and being innovative in engaging with younger students. Time management was also a challenge—coordinating scriptwriting, video production, and editing within a strict timeline required effective coordination among team members.

Through teamwork, we created an engaging video that contrasted public perception with reality, emphasizing the global progress in poverty reduction, education, and health care. This project deepened our understanding of the world and improved our collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills. By working together, we learned how to adapt to the challenge and present complex information in an accessible way.

Ultimately, we were able to reinforce an important lesson: while global challenges still exist, many aspects of the world are improving. The media often portrays a pessimistic perspective about our world, having a bold headline to attract audiences. By promoting a new perspective, we hope to encourage a more optimistic yet realistic view of the progress being made. This experience demonstrated the power of education in shifting perspectives and inspired us to continue questioning assumptions and seeking the truth behind global issues.