In 2015, the United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with the intent that these goals be met by 2030. In May 2019, the UN began an SDG Book Club for young people. The UN encourages young people to read the books that they hope “will inspire the children to help make the world a better place for everyone.”
The Junior Ambassadors Program at Batesville Intermediate School is using the SDG Book Club as a springboard to awareness of global issues. We are using the designated school-wide Response to Instruction (RtI) time for the Junior Ambassador students to further explore Sustainable Development Goals.
While all students at our school have a basic introduction to the SDGs, the Junior Ambassador students have additional opportunities to build their knowledge through research activities, listening to guest speakers and participating in special projects, all the while increasing their collaboration and leadership skills. The Junior Ambassadors then schedule presentations with every classroom in our building to engage students throughout the school.
The Junior Ambassadors Program was recognized with ALA's 2020 Sara Jaffarian School Library Award.
Batesville Intermediate School brings a global perspective to students through a book club focused on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.