Class 7 students recently concluded an in-depth interdisciplinary project combining History, French and Technology, that followed their annual grade-wide trip to the United Nations. During the December visit, the students toured the UN headquarters, immersing themselves in the world of diplomacy and international relations. They learned about the organization's central mission—promoting peace, fostering development and encouraging cooperation among nations—and reflected on the importance of protecting human dignity and ensuring equal rights for all.
After conversing about the trip en français during their subsequent French class, the students were introduced a related project by Middle School Teacher Ayaovi Sobo that would allow them to utilize the Hayot Center for Innovation (HCI).
The students were presented with three options: One, portray a “day in the life” at Les Nations Unies. Students would select a role at the UN (diplomat, translator, researcher etc.) and write a fictional diary entry or create a short skit depicting their day, emphasizing the diverse roles and daily activities within the UN.
Two, students could choose a problème mondia (global issue) such as poverty, climate change or human rights, and explain how the UN addresses it and propose their own innovative solution. Third, students could research how the UN's work impacts their local (NYC) community through international trade, aid organizations or cultural exchange.
Once the groups chose an option, they headed to the HCI, where they used the high-tech tools to create elaborate visual or digital representations of their work. Some students created a Virtual Reality space to showcase their fictitious day at the UN. Other groups constructed an interactive global map or a city model.
These hardworking seventh graders next presented their work (all in French!) to Upper School students, professional community members, Head of Middle School Hazel Hunt and Head of School Suzanne Fogarty.
“We chose crise de la faim (hunger crisis),” one group said, citing that the UN’s goal is to eliminate hunger by 2030. “We connected this to our work with Grassroots Grocery,” they continued, referring to Chapin’s service partner for the 2024-2025 school year, “and our idea is to add more community fridges across the world with healthy options.”
Another group researched human rights across the globe—freedom of opinion and expression, right to religion and gender equality, for example—and made a map to showcase the top three countries with the best human rights as well as lowest three. They also learned about The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and made videos in French about what each country (on their list) offers their citizens.
A third duo proposed a special filtered straw to address pollution plastique. After researching the UN’s zero waste goals and learning about how they make building materials using recycled items, the students were inspired. “Our straw would allow you to drink any water,” they explained, “The filter would clean water from a lake or pond, for example, and allow more people to have access to clean drinking water.”
After listening to our inspiring students who are full of ideas to make the world a better place. Ms. Hunt remarked, “This has been an excellent opportunity for them to actively work for unity with compassion for others.”
