Big Idea:

What do young people already understand about global issues? What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
This is an introductory activity to gather their ideas, value their contributions and identify personal areas of interest and action.
This is an introductory activity to gather their ideas, value their contributions and identify personal areas of interest and action.
Type of Activity:
A discussion-based activity, supporting young people to ask questions, give reasons for their thinking and make connections between global issues. Paper aeroplanes and short film clips are created to develop awareness of the content and purpose of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Who is it for?
Ages 11 to 16.
What do I need?
Prepared picture prompts, cut in half to resemble jigsaw pieces (examples below), SDG posters/symbols on display, A4 paper and colour pens, appropriate filming equipment.
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Printable SDG display materials (Practical Action)
Global goals display materials - Practical Action
Global goals display materials - Practical Action
How long does it take?
60 to 90 minutes
Introduction

Each student has one piece of a picture and has to find person with the matching half of their jigsaw. Ideally, there are two copies of each picture, so pairs can then join together to make a group of four. Each group has time to discuss their picture. What can you see? What is the message of the picture? What did the artist want you to think about?
How does it make you feel?
Allow each group to share their thoughts and then invite other groups to state how their picture connects with the last picture described. For example: "My picture shows fruit and fruit needs water to grow", " These trees are alive and the people in that picture are alive," before going on to share their thoughts about their own jigsaw picture.
How does it make you feel?
Allow each group to share their thoughts and then invite other groups to state how their picture connects with the last picture described. For example: "My picture shows fruit and fruit needs water to grow", " These trees are alive and the people in that picture are alive," before going on to share their thoughts about their own jigsaw picture.
What next
Draw attention to the Sustainable Development Goal cards. Which goals match to your picture? Does your picture match up with more than one goal? Students move to stand by the relevant goal/goals. Explain that the goals are targets that the governments of the world are working towards to protect the earth. How would you like to improve life on earth? Which goal do you think is the most important?
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Demonstrate making a paper aeroplane from a piece of A4 paper. Each person chooses a goal that means the most to them and makes a paper aeroplane to illustrate their goal, in words and symbols.
The group take it in turns to throw their plane towards a line or target. Which plane flew the furthest? Did any plane reach or exceed the target? Was it easy to make your plane fly? Was there a secret to success?
The group take it in turns to throw their plane towards a line or target. Which plane flew the furthest? Did any plane reach or exceed the target? Was it easy to make your plane fly? Was there a secret to success?
Finally
Invite students to share why they chose their particular goal, why they think it is important and what they would like to see happen. Students work in pairs to record a short film clip, introducing their goal and sharing their hopes for the future.
Extend the activity by introducing this wonderful Global Goals Word Search (Practical Action) to your students: Global Goals - Word search.pdf (practicalaction.org)
Extend the activity by introducing this wonderful Global Goals Word Search (Practical Action) to your students: Global Goals - Word search.pdf (practicalaction.org)
Find out more
Explore animations or short films relating to the Sustainable Development Goals.