EL Education’s Better World Day Showcases Student
03 Mayo 2024 - 8:17AM
Today, 47,000 students from more than 100 schools around the
country will participate in Better World Day, showcasing learning
projects and community service programs that exemplify the strength
and learning of the EL Education curriculum and school model –
where all students are recognized as leaders of the present and
future who will continue to grow as strong thinkers and active
contributors to build a better world.
Better World Day exemplifies the ability of students to become
scholars and changemakers, whether it is by planting trees, packing
food at a food bank, opening hiking trails, supporting individuals
facing homelessness, or addressing other needs in their
community.
During the annual event celebrating citizen scholars, students
from grades K-12 in EL Education schools showcase their learning
with student-led endeavors.
“We believe in the incredible potential of young people to make
a difference in the world. That's why we created Better World Day.
It's all about empowering young people to create positive change,
no matter how old they are,” said Jessica Wood, Director of
Experiential Marketing at EL Education. “Our goal is to equip
students with the knowledge and tools they need to become advocates
for positive change so they are truly prepared to lead. Education
is best when done with students, not to students.”
EL Education is announcing the recipients of three media grants
for partner schools or districts to co-create mini-documentaries
about their 2024 Better World Day Projects. This year’s grant
recipients will showcase:
- Students from Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy
dedicating a new environmental space to plant and harvest
vegetables at an urban environmental science school during a
community event that will include distributing plant
seedlings.
- Students from World of Inquiry, School #58 in Rochester, N.Y.,
planting 1,967 tulip bulbs in honor of the school’s founding in
1967, following the 1964 race riots.
- Students from Arbor Vitae Woodruff School in Arbor-Vitae, Wis.,
packing food and raising awareness of food insecurity in rural
communities in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The Better World Day documentaries will be screened at the EL
Education National Conference from Dec. 2-5 in Atlanta.
The projects and presentations on Better World Day are models of
the kind of learning happening in hundreds of EL Education
schools every day, where character development and scholarship are
inextricably linked and equally important for achievement. The EL
Education model is based on the science of learning and development
and includes decades of research showing that student achievement
flourishes when schools nurture social, emotional, cognitive, and
academic growth together.
Additional examples of efforts around the country include:
- Students from Westchester Elementary School in Decatur, Ga.,
have honored civil rights activist Ruby Bridges with a year-long
learning expedition, “WE Build Bridges to Belonging” and written
books to share with school newcomers.
- Students from Clifton Area Neighborhood School in Ohio
examining the health of a local creek from which Cincinnati gets
its water as part of a larger project on studying water quality
issues locally and globally.
- Students at PS 41 The Gun Hill Road School in the Bronx in New
York exploring the interdependence of living things in their "Love
Grows Here" project, contributing to a more beautiful entrance to
their school. Through garden projects, butterfly releases, and
vibrant artwork, students at PS 41 are sowing seeds of awareness
and stewardship for a greener tomorrow.
Studies show that EL Education students outperform their peers
at the district and state levels on standardized tests and measures
of character. For details on Better World Day projects
and media feature grant winners, go
to https://eleducation.org/news-and-events/better-world-day.
About EL EducationEL Education is a national
nonprofit that partners with educators to transform K-12 schools
and districts into hubs of equitable opportunity. Guided by a
multi-dimensional vision of student achievement, we support all
students to cultivate their unique genius and contribute to a
better world. EL Education offers research-proven resources and
practices, including the acclaimed EL Education K-8 Language Arts
curriculum, Core Practices, and aligned professional learning. EL
Education was founded in 1991 and currently reaches 1.1 million
students in diverse communities across the country in 48 states and
the District of Columbia. Learn more
at ELEducation.org.
Kimberly Hefling
EL Education
kimberly.hefling@gmmb.com