Learning Futures NEtwork



BALANCE OF THE PLANET K-12



Online challenge-based learning for teams



Program Features



Engaging Learners through Innovative Technology



Curtin Challenge offers an adaptive, gamified and collaborative learning environment for curricula and co-curricular learning activities in the form of challenges, known as Challenge ‘pathways’. It incentivises learning by providing gamified, self-paced activities where users acquire points and badges in recognition of their achievements. The Challenge platform also leverages learning analytics that can be used to drive adaptive learning experiences and feed learning insights into subsequent learning design and user experiences.



Join Balance of the Planet



Learn valuable skills, compete for scholarship funds and prizes, and gain university-endorsed recognition by solving real-world problems associated with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).



Learn Together through Real Opportunities



Develop your skills, build your networks and shape your future through interactive activities based around real issues affecting young people across the globe today, and into the future. Tailor your experience to reach your goals and reflect your passions. Earn badges and rewards for completing activities, and use these to open doors to new career and educational opportunities.



Design Thinking



The Balance of the Planet is predicated upon the the principles of design thinking and challenge-based learning.



SO WHAT IS BALANCE OF THE PLANET?





SCHOOLS, TEACHERS AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS


You can enrol as many students from your school as you wish. All students will need to pair up with a classmate or someone they know at school or in their community, so they can work side-by-side. Each pair will then meet and join up with a pair of students from anywhere else in the world. Ideally all teams should have 4 students. Teams can have as many advisors and helpers as they wish, but only four students will be the officially recognised team.


All recognition letters and scholarship prizes will be offered to the official team members. The teams can choose from 1 to 3 contests

  1. a short paper Technical Innovation Plan (TIP) - minimum requirement for completion
  2. Video/Multimedia
  3. a larger Global Business Plan (GBP).

Each of the contests has a public rubric containing all of the criteria for judging. Team members and advisors can use the rubrics to pre-score the submissions.


Curtin University staff and external experts will score all submissions and all final determinations will be made by Curtin University staff of Balance of the Planet.


Outcomes

All team members who make significant contributions will receive award certificates and letters of commendation.


Schools will receive a report about teams and scoring results. Scholarship Awards will be offered for a number of top 3 scoring levels in all contests. Maximum value of awards are:

  1. Video ($200 per member)
  2. TIP ($300 per member)
  3. GBP ($500 per member).

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The United Nations SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 goals provide clear guidelines and targets for all countries to work towards. Learn more at UN Sustainable Development Goals


Time Commitment and Workload

To complete Balance of the Planet, students will need to commit between one to four hours per week for from one week up to one school term (depending on your team's ideas, goals and teamwork).


Teachers can choose from three delivery methods:

  • EMBEDDED: Students work on Balance of the Planet during class time.
  • GUIDED: Students complete the bulk of the work at home, but consult with the teacher regularly.
  • INDEPENDENT: Students complete the work at home, only consulting the teacher when guidance is needed. ​

Schools can elect for participation to be either required or optional. We favour student choice and options, but you can adapt the program to fit your needs.


For teachers:

Easy to use.

Creates an individual student record of contribution to a group project.

Supports critical thinking and collaborative learning in a global context.

Gives students power over their ideas, the time and place of their work and the amount of their effort. ​


For learners:

Make global friends – form a team and meet people from other countries.

Change the world with your creative ideas.

Compete for scholarship funds, recognition letters and certificate of completion of university-level learning.

Propose a solution to one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).


There is no specific problem set for your team; your solution is for you to decide! You need to identify which Sustainable Development Goal/s interest you, refine your ideas, conduct your own creative research and clearly report to others so the ideas can be judged.


Submit by April 30 or October 31 to compete for placement as a top team of the contest, to receive letters of recognition, and to eligible for scholarship offers.


To get involved submit an EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM


For additional information contact Challenge@curtin.edu.au



BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS



GLOBAL RECOGNITION



All participants completing the Balance of the Planet will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation.



SCHOLARSHIPS AND PRIZES



Some participants may be selected for special consideration for scholarships and awards. All members of the Learning Futures Network can utilise the Balance of the Planet as ACES eligibility requirement for the SHAPE Award. Organisers will continue to search for sponsors of the prorgam.



GLOBAL INFLUENCE



The Balance of the Planet provides opportunities for your ideas to be presented in global contacts, and to have other people around the world consider the value and potential of your ideas. Teams maintain the ownership of their ideas, and we encourage them to take an entrepreneurial approach to ideas that have commercial value.



GLOBAL CONNECTIONS



All participants have the opportunity to engage with other learners from around the globe and are able to foster new friendships and collaborations as they move ahead with other actions aiming to achieve global sustainability.


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POWERED BY CURTIN UNIVERSITY



Learning Futures