Hi Everyone! I hope the start of the school year has been going well. After corresponding with Ms. Danser about potential advisory activities, Ms. Bessias about implementation, and Ms. Caruso to iron out the details, I’ve devised a final product for my independent study!
The product will be a workshop called “Committing to Climate Action” that applies the psychological attitudes I uncovered in the forms of presentation, discussion, and action in order to spark change! Although I unfortunately haven’t been able to determine a specific time and place to hold the workshop (especially because advisory activities are still largely up in the air), I’m excited to keep looking for opportunities to do so in the future. Please comment below or let me know if you have any suggestions for ways to implement and spread awareness about this workshop!
Here is a description of the workshop. Although I have planned out the specific details (created the presentation, designed questions for the discussion, and created a worksheet for the commitment to action), I’m going to post those after I’m able to fully implement the workshop.:
Committing to Climate Action: a 30 minute workshop
Part 1: Information
Time: 10 minutes
Description: an informative presentation that includes
- My personal climate story
- Sharing our own stories
- Information about climate action
Purpose: to give people the necessary background to embrace sustainability
- Why sustainability is important
- What we can do to help
- How our actions make an impact
Notable details and connection to psychology:
These prompts will be presented in a positive light, rather than a negative one. The presentation will embrace human connection and be primarily ground in stories..
Part 2: Conversation
Time: 10 minutes
Description: a conversation (similar to a class discussion) led by questions raised by a “moderator” and guiding principles set in advance
Purpose: to understand others’ perspectives on climate change and use these as motivation to encourage sustainability
Notable details and connection to psychology:
Rather than aggression, a willingness to be diplomatic and open will be the goal. Climate change will not be discussed in a vacuum, instead, it will be applied to real world images and examples and examined in relation to other concepts, social problems, and priorities.
Additionally, I will observe the behaviors exhibited during this conversation as feedback for future action.
Part 3: Action
Time: 10 minutes
Description: a template will be provided to allow the creation of a formal plan for action. Methods for accountability, including a partner, incentive, and timeframe will be designated.
Purpose: to formally commit to taking action towards sustainability. To, rather than falling into cycles of discouragement and forgetfulness, embrace sustainable change that can be continued and expanded on in the future.
Notable details and connection to psychology:
While other causes often take priority over climate change, this commitment to action forces sustainability to become a priority, even just for a small period of time. Additionally, sustainability can often be overwhelming and abstract, but highlighting a specific action and goal gives the participant direction and power over their actions.