Smithsonian Science Education Center Launches New Sustainable Communities Guide for Youth

WASHINGTON, September 23, 2021 (Newswire.com) - The Smithsonian Science Education Center has developed "Sustainable Communities! How will we help our community thrive?" a new community research guide for youth ages 8-17. The guide, which is based on the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals, aims to help young people explore how they can make a difference in their communities through topics such as inclusion, urban planning, housing, transportation, resource use and waste. 

Throughout the guide, young people are introduced to a wide variety of perspectives, develop research skills and learn from real scientists from around the globe, while discovering the value of their existing knowledge and feelings about their communities. They are guided to understand different aspects of sustainable communities through scientific and social-scientific investigations, social-emotional learning opportunities and civic engagement activities. Finally, youth use what they know and have learned to decide and implement actions to make their communities better. 

"As a global community we face many challenges that students have questions about—biodiversity loss, climate change, pandemics," said Carol O'Donnell, director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center. "This community research guide encourages young people to discover, understand and act on questions about the roles that people, community spaces, housing, infrastructure, transportation and resources play in helping our communities thrive."

The Smithsonian Science Education Center will share the information to youth worldwide in collaboration with the InterAcademy Partnership. The guide is free and can be found at https://ssec.si.edu/sustainable-communities. "Sustainable Communities! How will we help our community thrive?" is made possible through the support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

About the Smithsonian Science Education Center

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is transforming K-12 Education Through Science in collaboration with communities across the globe. The SSEC is nationally and internationally recognized for the quality of its programs and its impact on K-12 science education.

About the InterAcademy Partnership

Under the umbrella of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), more than 140 national, regional, and global member academies work together to support the vital role of science in seeking evidence-based solutions to the world's most challenging problems. In particular, IAP harnesses the expertise of the world's scientific, medical and engineering leaders to advance sound policies, improve public health, promote excellence in science education and achieve other critical development goals. See www.interacademies.org and follow IAP on Twitter and YouTube.

Media Contact

Ashley Deese at DeeseA@si.edu

Source: Smithsonian Science Education Center