Explore our Tech for Global Good activities, which put learners in the driver’s seat for social innovation. Some of our activities focus on hands-on making and engineering, while others dive into more systemic solutions — only paper, pen and ideas required! We encourage you to look around and find the lessons that will work best for your learners.
Activities and resources
You are here
Activities and resources
Empathetic engineering activities
In these short, hands-on activities, learners will be presented with a challenge and asked to consider the many audiences affected by that challenge. They’ll then build or sketch a solution, with an emphasis on using recycled materials, that addresses the challenge with ingenuity and empathy.
Project Playground (30+ minutes, Ages 8+)
Playgrounds are created with a purpose—they are meant to be community spaces where people gather and play. Playground designers and engineers need to think carefully about what would be safe and exciting for everyone. For this activity, become a playground designer and create a space that is fun, both for you and other kids. Sketch out your plans for the latest and greatest playground, designed for you and a fictional friend, then introduce everyone to the playground of the future!
Building a Storm Drain (45 - 60 minutes, Ages 7-13)
In this design challenge, you'll be designing a storm drain cover for a specific community that catches litter and protects our waterways. By thinking about the kind of waste that might wash into that community’s storm drains and then into the water supply, you can consider immediate, localized action as well as larger actions and changes that can protect our planet.
Face Mask for Friends (30+ minutes, Ages 8+)
Have you ever gotten a new shirt that ends up being itchy, uncomfortable or just doesn’t fit right? Imagine if it had actually been designed for your needs with a user-centered design process. User-centered design can make all sorts of products better, from clothing and chairs to cars and apps. Take on the role of a product designer and build empathy as you create a custom face mask for a friend focusing on functionality and fit.
Classroom design challenges
Tech for Global Good Design Challenges engage your students in systems design to address social and engineering challenges around the world. Each challenge includes video featuring social innovators, student packets, a lesson plan and standards connections. Challenges are designed for Grades 7-12.
Data Challenge
Analyze how The Tech for Global Good laureates use data as a tool to solve problems and effect change. Students will then work in groups to create a plan for collecting and using data to address a problem in their own sphere of influence.
Vaccine Challenge
Consider the complexities of infrastructure, public health and sociocultural landscapes in designing a solution to distribute a life-saving vaccine. Each team of students develops and presents plans that target the needs and constraints of a different community around the globe.
Lesson Plan Standards connections
Videos:
Student Packets:
Save the Species Challenge
Develop a solution that assists governments in protecting species in designated areas.
Videos:
Student Booklets:
Learn with Discovery Education
We partnered with Discovery Education to create engaging learning experiences focused on global challenges like remote medical supply distribution, political organizing, access to clean water, and inclusive artificial intelligence. You’ll also find a complete digital lesson bundle that focuses on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Go on a virtual field trip
Our 25-minute virtual field trip highlights the exciting work of four groundbreaking STEM pros who are rethinking data technology to transform our world for the better. These entrepreneurs were named as 2020 Laureates in our Tech for Global Good program, and we can’t wait for your learners to be inspired by their passion!
Want updates on the latest Tech for Global Good lessons? Sign up for our weekly newsletter, Education at The Tech.