Learning for a sustainable world.

The Global Goals in School is an innovative school development program from Universeum that links STEM subjects to sustainable development through real challenges linked to the UN's global goals in Agenda 2030. The programme strengthens teachers' methods and pupils' learning – but above all, it builds pupils' action competence for sustainable development.

AMBASSADORSHIP IS FUNDAMENTAL.

The Global Goals in School are based on students becoming ambassadors and creating value for others outside the classroom. As ambassadors, students pass on their knowledge of local and global sustainability challenges to other students, families, or groups in the local community. They shape their ambassadorship based on what they have learned and who they want to reach. By actively sharing knowledge and arousing engagement in others, students create concrete societal benefits – and this is where their action skills really grow.

When learning is given a recipient and a purpose outside the classroom, it becomes more meaningful. The students experience that their voices matter, that their knowledge can make a difference, and that they have the opportunity to influence. This strengthens both their belief that actions matter and their willingness to act for sustainable development.

Strengthens the students' action skills.

Society faces complex challenges where ecological, social and economic perspectives affect each other. Today's students need to develop action skills to be able to act in this complex reality. Action competence consists of three components:

  • Knowledge of what options are available
  • Confidence that one's actions matter
  • The will to act for sustainable development

The SDGs in schools strengthen all these components by linking STEM to concrete challenges and solutions. The programme responds directly to the curriculum's requirement that schools should promote pupils' ability to take a stand on issues relating to sustainable development and give them the opportunity to contribute to society's transition. But above all: it gives the students concrete experience of the importance of their knowledge and voices.

The program also trains students' entrepreneurial abilities: creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. As they solve current and real-world problems, their commitment to STEM is awakened, while also seeing the connection to sustainable development.

Different programs for different grades.

Pedagogical model and process.

Learning starts with the teachers. Therefore, the Global Goals in School start with continuing education that provides concrete tools for implementing sustainable development in teaching. The programme strengthens teachers' pedagogical methods and promotes innovative learning processes and cross-disciplinary work.

By practicing value-based learning throughout the program, students develop "21st century skills" – creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. When they solve current and real-world problems, their commitment to STEM is also awakened.

The SDGs in schools are implemented over eight weeks in six structured steps:

1. Teacher training

Theory is interspersed with practical exercises that strengthen teachers' competence in learning for sustainable development.

2. Universeum Visit 1

Experiences in Universeum's learning environments provide knowledge and inspiration about global challenges.

3. Work in school

In-depth study of the Global Goals with the support of teacher supervision. This is where the students begin to form their ambassadorship.

4. Universeum Visit 2

Additional knowledge and tools in Universeum's unique learning environments.

5. Ambassador's Day

Students from different schools meet digitally and share how they have spread knowledge about sustainability issues. Inspiration and energy that spurs continued action.

6. Follow-up

The teachers evaluate the programme.

Three perspectives on Global Goals in school.

Background and previous results.

The Global Goals in School were originally developed within the Future Ambassadors project (2019–2021), in which 2,500 students from 100 classes in 40 schools participated. Since then, the programme has expanded significantly – in 2022–2023, around 3,500 students from 141 new classes became ambassadors for the future. Geographical spread has increased from the City of Gothenburg to more municipalities in the region.

Through the Global Goals in School, young ambassadors of the future are disseminated who, with knowledge, commitment and action, contribute to a more sustainable world.