SDG Exhibition  Individual Reflection

As part of our assignment, we were given the task of organizing an exhibition about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). My group were assigned to SDG 4 Quality Education. We choose the poem "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou. This powerful poem illustrates resilience, determination, and the ability to rise above obstacles values that align with the principles of SDG 4. By using this literary piece, we aimed to demonstrate how education empowers individuals to overcome challenges and achieve success.

The responses from visitors to our booth were quite varied. Some visitors were genuinely interested and eager to learn more about SDG 4, asking thoughtful questions and sharing their personal experiences related to education. Others were curious about how literature could be used to promote awareness of quality education. However, some visitors had never heard about SDGs before and were learning about them for the first time. Their responses ranged from curiosity to surprise as they realized how important education is in achieving sustainable development. Some of them discussed how SDGs are relevant to education and society. 

These visitors shared their thoughts on the importance of equal learning opportunities and how education can drive sustainable development. Our booth helped bridge this knowledge gap by using literature and interactive activities to make the topic more accessible. By the end of their visit, even those who were unfamiliar with SDGs gained a better understanding of their importance and how education plays a crucial role in achieving sustainability. Through our booth, we aimed to fill this knowledge gap by presenting information in a simple and engaging way. 

Literature is a powerful tool for educating students about SDGs. Stories, poems, and plays can help students connect emotionally to important issues like equality and sustainability. For example, books about students facing barriers to education can inspire discussions about real-world challenges and solutions. Additionally, literature encourages critical thinking, empathy, and awareness qualities that are essential for creating a more educated and socially responsible society. To make learning more interactive, we also organized activities at our booth. We invited visitors  to share their thoughts on quality education and reflect on its importance. Another activity was a flip card memory game designed to reinforce key ideas about SDG 4 in a fun and engaging way. These activities helped make the learning experience more hands-on and meaningful for visitors. 

To prepare future teachers to incorporate SDGs into their lessons, the B.ED TESL program should include more content on sustainability and global issues. Courses should cover how to integrate SDG themes into language and literature lessons in creative and engaging ways. For example, student teachers could participate in projects where they develop lesson plans based on SDGs. Collaboration with schools to organize community-based learning activities could also provide valuable hands-on experience. Lastly, including SDG-related discussions in teaching practice sessions would help pre-service teachers gain confidence in addressing these topics in their classrooms. We put a lot of effort into planning, and designing our booth to make it both informative and engaging. Taking part in this exhibition was a great learning experience. It challenged us to think creatively and work as a team to deliver meaningful content. I enjoyed sharing information with visitors and seeing their reactions. It was fulfilling to know that our efforts helped raise awareness about the significance of quality education. The SDG Exhibition enhanced my understanding of quality education's role in sustainable development and the significance of raising SDG awareness. I suggest teacher training programs focus on preparing future educators for effective SDG teaching.