VIRTUAL GLOBAL ACTION PROJECTS IN UPPER SCHOOL ENGLISH
Seniors in English Department Chair Lynn Mittler’s class finished their English careers at MICDS with the Global Action Project (GAP), and although this year’s “symposium” was a bit different due to distance learning, the projects presented were as remarkable and inspiring as ever!
Students were tasked with creating a social enterprise that would address an unjust equilibrium and find a leverage point to shift that system. They worked in groups of three or four to tackle a variety of issues ranging from food deserts to mobile health. From reading and studying nonfiction books, they collaborated to explore problems and find creative solutions.
Each team worked together—virtually during distance learning—to research issues before building a business plan to address the issue at hand. They collaborated using Loom which recorded their speaking presentation as their slides were displayed. The presentations were delivered virtually to a panel that included Mittler, Assistant Head of School Brian Thomas, and several MICDS alums.
Alum and panelist Charles Mullenger ’06 was especially impressed with the projects given this year’s unusual circumstances. He said, “It is abundantly clear that students took the time to do the research and put together a compelling case for solving some incredibly important problems. Furthermore, this exercise is a great experience to learn how to present over video. This is part of business as we continue our spiking rates of globalization. In my role, I give presentations and discuss business weekly with partners all over the world, and it is a super important skill set to have. It can be uncomfortable, but the seniors did a very nice job considering the challenges they faced during COVID-19!”
“I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out,” Mittler remarked. “Students were clearly engaged in their projects and eager to keep working. I really could not be more impressed with these students. We had nearly perfect attendance after spring break and they stayed committed to their projects and their teams. I continue to be grateful that our school supports this experience for our students and will never forget this group who so courageously rose to the occasion.”