The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a crucial framework for addressing global issues, from climate change to inequality.
But how can we translate these broad, ambitious goals into tangible learning experiences for students? One powerful way is through school trips that connect real-world learning with the SDGs.
Why Connecting a School Expedition to the SDGs Matters
- Experiential Learning Enhances Understanding
Students retain knowledge better when they experience it first-hand. By connecting expeditions to the SDGs, we turn abstract concepts into real-world challenges that students can witness, analyse, and engage with directly.
- Developing Global Citizens
The SDGs encourage students to think beyond their immediate surroundings and consider their role in a global society. A school expedition provides a platform for young people to develop empathy, cultural awareness, and a deep sense of responsibility towards the planet and its people.
- Inspiring Future Changemakers
Many young people return from a World Challenge school expedition with a newfound passion for sustainability and social justice. By immersing students in environments where the SDGs are being actively addressed, we help ignite a commitment to future action, whether in their careers, studies, or local communities.
How to Embed the SDGs in a School Expedition
For educators planning an expedition, here are some practical ways to align your trip with the SDGs:
- Choose a Destination with Purpose
Selecting the right destination is key to ensuring students engage meaningfully with the SDGs. Consider places where students can contribute to conservation projects, such as marine research in Montenegro (SDG 14: Life Below Water). For those focusing on education, expeditions to Nepal or Tanzania offer opportunities to collaborate with community-led education programs (SDG 4: Quality Education). Meanwhile, destinations like Vietnam or Peru provide insight into innovative organisations tackling inequality (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities). By choosing destinations that align with specific SDGs, students can witness firsthand the challenges and solutions at play in different parts of the world.
- Partner with Local Organisations
Collaborate with NGOs or community initiatives that align with your educational goals. Ensure students have the opportunity to learn from local leaders and participate in projects. Hands-on experiences help students develop leadership skills, global awareness, and a deep understanding of the issues an organisation addresses.
- Encourage Pre- and Post-Trip Reflection
A well-structured expedition includes learning before, during, and after the trip. Encourage students to research the SDGs beforehand, reflect on their experiences during the trip, and create an action plan for applying their learning once they return home.
- Promote Sustainable Travel Practices
Ensure your overseas trips model prioritises sustainability, considering factors such as carbon footprint, ethical tourism, and responsible community engagement. Encourage students to reflect on their travel choices and advocate for more sustainable alternatives.
- Incorporate Student-Led Projects
Empower students to take ownership of their learning by designing their own SDG-related projects. Whether it’s conducting interviews with local experts during their World Challenge Initiative, creating media content to raise awareness on their return, or developing potential solutions to observed challenges, giving students agency fosters deeper engagement.
Making a Lasting Impact
By thoughtfully designing a student expedition that aligns with the SDGs, we create powerful opportunities for young people to become informed, engaged, and active global citizens. At World Challenge, we are committed to ensuring that every school trip has a positive social and environmental impact, not just during the trip but long after students return home.
If you’re interested in learning more about how World Challenge can support your school’s next adventure, please get in touch – we’d love to help shape an unforgettable experience for your students.
Written by Emma Halder
