Deforestation, global infectious diseases, and intellectual property rights - it's just another day of problem solving in the Rivermont fifth grade! Rivermont Collegiate is excited to announce the fifth grade class has been chosen for the fifth year in a row to participate in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) 20/20 Challenge. The NAIS 20/20 Challenge brings together schools in the United States (public and private, elementary and secondary) with schools in other countries to identify local solutions to a global problem. The Internet-based international education program partners schools to work together on one of 20 problems described by J.F. Rischard in his book, High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them. Together, students identify solutions that can be implemented in their own schools and communities.
Schools apply for the 20/20 Challenge and if accepted, are partnered with schools in another country. Once partnered, schools work together to define and research the problem, identify a workable solution for their school's community and context, and map out steps of an implementation plan. The program is praised for allowing students to explore the complexities of global issues that are difficult for even many adults to comprehend and develop critical thinking skills they will use for a lifetime.
In the past, the fifth grade class has partnered with schools in Guatemala, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and Africa on topics such as biodiversity and global warming. This year's problem is peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and combating terrorism. Rivermont students will be working with students in California and New Zealand and, due to past success with the 20/20 Challenge, the Rivermont class has been chosen as the team leader. The 20/20 Challenge will begin in January and we eagerly anticipate the fifth grade's innovative solutions to address peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and terrorism right here at Rivermont and in the Quad City community!
Rivermont Collegiate, located in Bettendorf, is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, multicultural college preparatory school for students in preschool through twelfth grade. Visit us online at www.rvmt.org! For additional information on Rivermont, contact Brittany Marietta at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or marietta@rvmt.org
For additional information on the NAIS 20/20 Challenge, visit www.nais.org.
-END-
