Participate in our new #Design2030 Challenge and add your ideas to the World’s To-Do List!
15 Days until school starts up again. 15 Goals for a Sustainable World. A perfect opportunity for your child to flex their brainpower to create, innovate, and share some of their best ideas on what they would like the world to look like in by the year 2030.
The purpose of this project is to provide families with meaningful projects that they can work on over the break, as well as to increase awareness about the UN Goals and how we all play a part in achieving them. Participants will take part in a variety of daily challenges that ask them to develop solutions to help create a safe, inclusive, and equal future for their generation!
Here’s how it works:
Each day, we’ll be posting a challenge based on one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and we want to hear your ideas on how to help reach them!
Every day around 10:00 am, our Chief Creativity Officer Sam will go live on Facebook to introduce two challenges for the day; one for our 4-7 and one for 8-14 age groups respectively. All challenges for our 4-7 age group will be posted here. All challenges for our 8-14 age group will be in our #Design2030 online course.
To participate, all you have to do read the challenge, create your idea, and get a parent/guardian to help you post it on the challenge submission page! Submissions can also be posted in the comments of the corresponding Facebook live video.
Each time you complete a challenge, you will be awarded a badge. Collect all badges to win exciting prizes to help continue your learning!
5 challenges completed – 1 free poster printed of your own design
10 challenges completed – 1 free 3D print of your own design
15 challenges completed – access to one self-directed online learning course of your choice
Challenges will only be posted the morning of and all submissions are due by 9:00 pm the same day, so be sure to keep your eyes on our social media pages and website to stay up to date. One of our staff members will then reach out to you by 5:00 pm the following day to confirm your submission and present you with your badge!
If you have any questions about the challenge, please reach out to us at info@stemminds.com. Good luck, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!
Goal 1: No Poverty
Poverty is a worldwide issue that affects many countries today. In fact, even in countries like Canada there are many who are living in poverty.
Poverty is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. Poverty means that the income level from employment is so low that basic human needs can’t be met. (Source: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/poverty.asp)
One of the goals that the United Nations has to help eliminate poverty is to build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters by the year 2030.
Click here to watch the Day 1 launch video.
Today’s challenge
Can you build a strong enough tower to survive an earthquake? Use LEGO, blocks, or any other materials you have at home to build a tower that survives the force of a shaking table!
Parents/Guardians, check out this handy activity guide to help your young ones get started: http://stem-works.com/external/activity/575/
Once you have you have finished and tested your tower, ask your parent/guardian to take a picture of it and post it in the comments below. Be sure to include what makes it strong!
If you have any questions about the challenge, please reach out to us at info@stemminds.com. Good luck, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
There are about 1 in 9 people in the world who go to bed hungry every night.
One of the specific goals that the UN is working towards is to double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment by the year 2030.
What this means is that it’s important to help farmers so that they can provide food for their communities!
Today’s challenge
Can you build a marvelous machine that would transport food from one place to another? Use any materials or building supplies that you want for this challenge!
Once you have you have finished and tested your tower, ask your parent/guardian to take a picture of it and post it in the comments below. You can also email it to us at info@stemminds.com. Be sure to include what your machine does and how it works!
Good luck!
Goal 3: Good Health & Well-Being
The United Nations has reported that major progress has been made in improving the health of millions of people, increasing life expectancy, reducing maternal and child mortality and fighting against leading communicable diseases. However, progress has stalled or is not happening fast enough with regard to addressing major diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis, while at least half the global population does not have access to essential health services and many of those who do suffer undue financial hardship, potentially pushing them into extreme poverty. Concerted efforts are required to achieve universal health coverage and sustainable financing for health, to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including mental health, and to tackle antimicrobial resistance and determinants of health such as air pollution and inadequate water and sanitation. (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg3)
Click here to watch the Day 3 launch video.
Today’s challenge
It’s important to be healthy, especially during this time of year! Can you create a poster that helps people live a healthier lifestyle? Watch this video to learn the basics of graphic/poster design! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7Y1Jn9rLLE&t=25s
Once you have you have finished your poster, ask your parent/guardian to take a picture of it and post it in the comments below. You can also email it to us at info@stemminds.com.
We can’t wait to see your designs!
Goal 4: Quality Education
We, like the United Nations, believe that Quality Education is a fundamental right. In fact, part of our Mission involves specific goals to contribute to important targets such as to substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship and to ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.
Another important target that the United Nations has set out is that by 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg4)
Click here to watch the Day 4 launch video.
Today’s challenge
Learning about spelling and math are important to help you do well in school, but also to help you with your future! Can you design a game in Scratch Jr. that helps teach someone about spelling or math?
Check out these PBS Kids games for some spelling game inspiration: https://pbskids.org/games/spelling/
Once you have you have finished your game, ask your parent/guardian to take a picture of it and post it in the comments below. You can also email it to us at info@stemminds.com.
Parents/Guardians, you can download Scratch Jr. for your iPad, Tablet, or mobile phone here: https://www.scratchjr.org/
We can’t wait to see your games!
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Over the past few years, there has been a large increase in the amount that people buy and consume. The United Nations states that “urgent action is needed to ensure that current material needs do not lead to the over-extraction of resources or to the degradation of environmental resources, and should include policies that improve resource efficiency, reduce waste and mainstream sustainability practices across all sectors of the economy”. (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg12)
One of the easiest things that people can do to help is to reduce, reuse, and recycle!
Click here to watch the Day 5 launch video.
Today’s Challenge
Recycling can be more than good for the environment, it can also be fun! Your challenge for today is to use some of the items in your recycling bin to build a boat that floats. Some materials that you might want to look for are plastic bottles, tin foil, or cereal boxes.
Parents/Guardians – check out this site for some inspiration! https://www.teachersareterrific.com/2018/08/fabulous-boat-challenge-and-its-our.html
Once you have built and tested your boat, ask your parent/guardian to take a picture of it floating in the water and email it to us at info@stemminds.com. Be sure to include what materials you used!
Good luck!
Goal 5: Gender Equality
While some indicators of gender equality are progressing, such as a significant decline in the prevalence of female genital mutilation and early marriage, the overall numbers continue to be high. Moreover, insufficient progress on structural issues at the root of gender inequality, such as legal discrimination, unfair social norms and attitudes, decision-making on sexual and reproductive issues and low levels of political participation, are undermining the ability to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5. (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg5)
Click here to watch the Day 6 launch video
Today’s Challenge
Gender Equality is very important in creating a sustainable world. Can you create a poster that tells girls why they should explore science, technology, engineering, and math?
Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation
Clean water is a basic human right. Unfortunately, not many places around the world have access to clean water. The UN states that “despite progress, billions of people still lack safe water, sanitation and handwashing facilities. Data suggests that achieving universal access to even basic sanitation service by 2030 would require doubling the current annual rate of progress.” (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg6)
Click here to watch the Day 7 launch video
Today’s Challenge
Clean water is important for people and animals to have around the globe! Try this fun water filter science experiment to learn how the water filtration system works! https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/books/how-things-work/water-wonders/
Once you have built your system, ask your parent/guardian to take a picture of it and email it to us at info@stemminds.com. Be sure to include what materials you used!
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The UN states that “globally, urban areas are expanding at a faster rate than their populations. Between 2000 and 2014, areas occupied by cities grew 1.28 times faster than their populations. Closely related to this trend is that the urban densities of cities have been declining, creating profound repercussions for environmental sustainability at the local, regional and global scale. Better management of urban growth will be crucial in order to guarantee sustainable urbanization.” (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg11)
Due to this fact, one of the targets that they have set for the year 2030 is to strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage worldwide.
Click here to watch the Day 8 launch video
Today’s Challenge
Can you use LEGO to build a sustainable city? The buildings in your city should answer the following questions:
- Are they durable?
- Are they accessible?
- Are they environmentally friendly?
Watch this crash course on building a city: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnnUid8Hof0&list=PLlHc2f8ktSdH62QCpfMjTHEfwB9iUaBOf&index=6
Once you have built your city, ask your parent/guardian to take a picture of it and email it to us at info@stemminds.com. Be sure to include a short description explaining all the amazing buildings and areas you included!
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Using renewable energy is important to help our Earth stay healthy! Renewable energy sources include water, wind, solar, and even geothermal energy!
The United Nations states that “the renewable energy share of total final energy consumption gradually increased from 16.6 per cent in 2010 to 17.5 per cent in 2016, though much faster change is required to meet climate goals.” (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg7)
Click here to watch the Day 9 launch video
Today’s Challenge
Wind power is just one of the many forms of clean energy. Try this awesome LEGO challenge to see just how powerful the wind can be! https://frugalfun4boys.com/lego-stem-challenge-wind-powered-lego-contraptions/
Once you have built your system, ask your parent/guardian to take a picture of it and email it to us at info@stemminds.com. Have fun!
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure
Industry and infrastructure is all about coming up with exciting new ways to use new technologies and developments to make life better for the people on our planet. One of the main targets that the United Nations have set in this area is to enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, and encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending by the year 2030. (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg9)
Click here to watch the Day 10 launch video
Today’s Challenge
It’s time to design, innovate, and create! Can you beat all 5 of the design challenges below?
- Build a spectacular spaceship out of LEGO or other materials around the house
- Build a dizzying marble maze out of LEGO or other materials around the house
- Build the tallest tower you can out of LEGO or other materials around the house
- Build a crazy car, bus, or train out of LEGO or other materials around the house
- Recreate a famous landmark out of LEGO or other materials around the house
Once you have completed the challenges, take a photo of your designs and send them to info@stemminds.com. We look forward to seeing what you create!
Goal 10: Reduce Inequalities
The United Nations states that “inequality within and among nations continues to be a significant concern despite progress in and efforts at narrowing disparities of opportunity, income and power. Income inequality continues to rise in many parts of the world, even as the bottom 40 per cent of the population in many countries has experienced positive growth rates. Greater emphasis will need to be placed on reducing inequalities in income as well as those based on other factors. Additional efforts are needed to increase zero-tariff access for exports from least developed countries and developing countries, and assistance to least developed countries and small island developing States”. (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg10)
Today’s Challenge
Watch this read aloud of one of our favourite books, The Water Princess https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xufbn6Ouu5U
Can you design a machine that would help Gigi in her journey to get water?
Once you have built your machine, ask your parent/guardian to take a picture of it and email it to us at info@stemminds.com. Have fun!
Goal 13: Climate Action
The United Nations states that “with rising greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is occurring at rates much faster than anticipated and its effects are clearly felt worldwide. While there are positive steps in terms of the climate finance flows and the development of nationally determined contributions, far more ambitious plans and accelerated action are needed on mitigation and adaptation. Access to finance and strengthened capacities need to be scaled up at a much faster rate, particularly for least developed countries and small island developing States”.(Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg13)
One of the ways that they suggest combating this is to improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg13).
Today’s Challenge
Design a video game that teaches people about what they can to do help combat climate change! Be sure to include specific ideas on what individuals or families can do to help!
We recommend using Bloxels or Scratch Jr. to create your game.
Once you have created your game, send a link to info@stemminds.com so we can play and test it! We are excited to see what you create!
Goal 14: Life Below Water
The United Nations is committed to reducing the amount of damage and pollution we cause to our oceans by the year 2030. One of the largest problems that we see with the increase of climate change and pollution is the effect it has on ocean acidification, which “is caused by the uptake of atmospheric CO2 by the ocean, which changes the chemical composition of the seawater. Long-term observations of ocean acidification over the past 30 years have shown an average increase of acidity of 26 per cent since pre-industrial times, and at this rate, an increase of 100 to 150 per cent is predicted by the end of the century, with serious consequences for marine life”(Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg14).
Today’s Challenge
Ocean pollution is a huge problem these days. Try out this fun experiment to learn more about how it hurts our oceans https://moretime2teach.com/change-the-way-your-kids-think-about-pollution/
Then, take what you’ve learned and design something that could help clean up an oil spill! You may want to look at some solutions that already exist for ideas and inspiration.
Once you have your solution, take a photo of it and send that photo along with a description of your design to info@stemminds.com.
Good luck, and have fun experimenting!
Goal 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
The United Nations states that inclusive and sustainable economic growth can drive progress and generate the means to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Globally, labour productivity has increased and unemployment is back to pre-financial crisis levels. However, the global economy is growing at a slower rate. More progress is needed to increase employment opportunities, particularly for young people, reduce informal employment and the gender pay gap and promote safe and secure working environments to create decent work for all (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg8).
Today’s Challenge
What do you dream of being when you grow up? Create a digital story using Storybird or Scratch Jr. about it!
If your kids can’t think of a career, these 100 kids answer the question: What do you want to be when you grow up? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUup841pZrs
Once you have your story, send a copy of it to info@stemminds.com. We can’t wait to see what you create!
Goal 15: Life on Land
There are some encouraging global trends in protecting terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. Forest loss is slowing down, more key biodiversity areas are protected and more financial assistance is flowing towards biodiversity protection. Yet, the 2020 targets of Sustainable Development Goal 15 are unlikely to be met, land degradation continues, biodiversity loss is occurring at an alarming rate, and invasive species and the illicit poaching and trafficking of wildlife continue to thwart efforts to protect and restore vital ecosystems and species (Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg15).
Today’s Challenge
Biodiversity and protecting animals is an important thing for all of us to do! Try this fun bird feeder project. Then, try recreating one of the birds you see in TinkerCad with 3D Design!
https://www.kiwico.com/diy/Arts-and-Crafts-Projects/1/project/Easy-Bagel-Bird-Feeders/280
Once you have your feeder and your designs, take a photo of them and send them to info@stemminds.com!
Best of luck, and thanks for participating!
This robot carries food from one place to another.You simply tie a string to either one of the antennae and it will bring along the food with ease.It even has a motion sensor on the bottom(assuming) and makes sure not to drag the carton off a table if ever encountered.It carries the food easily with one double A battery and tough friction tires at the bottom of the mini robot.So,even though it may be small,you should never underestimate technology!
Hi Abigail,
Thank you for your description and for sending us a picture of your robot. Sometimes a simple solution is the best solution!
We will send you your badge for Goal #2 via email. Keep up the great work!
This scratch junior project teaches kids about addition and a strategy they can use when doing addition.It’s a simple and easy method for when kids need help