Generating Possibilities and Systems Thinking

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Bridging Past, Present, and Future: Sustainable Practices from Ancient Egypt to Artemis

Grade Level: 6th Grade

Duration: 90 minutes

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Explore ancient Egyptian sustainability practices.

• Research NASA’s Artemis Mission’s alignment with the SDGs.

Standards:

• Iowa Social Studies Standards: Historical analysis and interpretation.

• Iowa Literacy Standards: Citing textual evidence and analyzing key details.

Lesson Overview:

• Introduction to UN SDGs (15 min): Brief explanation of the 17 UN SDGs using real-world examples.

• Ancient Egypt and SDGs Activity (25 min): Research ancient Egyptian practices related to SDGs.

• Introduction to Artemis Mission and Research Activity (25 min): Explore how Artemis Mission aligns with SDGs.

• Class Discussion and Reflection (20 min): Share findings and reflect on sustainability across timelines.

• Preparation for Next Lesson (5 min): Introduce the LEGO model activity for the next lesson, relating to Artemis Mission and the UN SDGs.

This lesson encourages students to think critically about sustainability across different timelines, fostering a deeper understanding of global sustainability goals. Through research, discussion, and reflection, students are engaged in a meaningful exploration of how past, present, and future sustainability initiatives are interconnected.

Bridging Past, Present, and Future: Sustainable Practices from Ancient Egypt to Artemis

1. Introduction to UN SDGs (15 minutes):

• Explanation:

  • Start with a brief PowerPoint presentation or a short video explaining the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Use real-world examples to illustrate each goal.

  • Discussion Starter: Ask students, "Why do you think these goals are important?" to encourage initial thoughts and engagement.

2. Ancient Egypt and SDGs Activity (25 minutes):

• Explanation:

  • Provide a list of reputable sources or a textbook reference for students to research how Ancient Egypt might have addressed similar sustainability goals.

  • Inquiry Prompt: "How did Ancient Egyptians manage their water resources, and how does it relate to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)?"

3. Introduction to Artemis Mission and Research Activity (25 minutes):

• Explanation:

  • Use a short video or interactive website to introduce NASA's Artemis Mission. 

  • Pair students and assign them to research how the mission aligns with the SDGs.

  • Inquiry Prompt: "What renewable energy technologies are utilized in the Artemis Mission, and how do they connect to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)?"

4. Class Discussion and Reflection (20 minutes):

• Explanation:

  • Facilitate a class discussion based on the findings from the research activity. Encourage students to share their insights and listen to others.

  • Reflective Question: "How do the sustainability practices from Ancient Egypt and the Artemis Mission inform how we approach sustainability today?"

5. Preparation for Next Lesson (5 minutes):

• Explanation:

  • Briefly introduce the next lesson's objective of creating LEGO models representing the Artemis Mission and the UN SDGs, igniting curiosity for the next class.

  • Engagement Strategy: Mention that they will be able to build and visualize their ideas, appealing to their creativity and hands-on learning.

Resources

• Introduction to UN SDGs (15 min):

  • United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

  • World’s Largest Lesson

• Ancient Egypt and SDGs Activity (25 min):

  • BBC - Ancient Egypt

• Introduction to Artemis Mission and Research Activity (25 min):

  •  NASA Artemis

• Class Discussion and Reflection (20 min):

  • Harvard Guide To Facilitating Discussion

  • Harvard Facilitating Discussion

  • Harvard How To Lead Discussion

• Preparation for Next Lesson (5 min):