6. Midterm - Grand Challenges
MIDTERM - a research assignment and discussions
Learning outcomes
- learn about the current challenges to benefit humanity now and in the future
- consider the impact of technology on reaching global challenges
- research progress made to date
- discuss work currently underway around the world
Keywords
- global, society, development, non-government organization (NGO), goals, humanitarian, equity, access
Study notes
- Who is identifying the most important problems that need to be solved?
- How are challenges set? How is progress measured?
- Are the goals being met?
- How are technologies - specifically computers and the internet contributing to meeting the challenges?
- How can you help?
MidTerm project : People Fixing the World
Technologies and the internet impact social issues that are important to countries with cities, internet access, stable governments, courts of law, regulations, good healthcare and education systems. However, there are large populations throughout the world that do not share these benefits.
UN Sustainable Development Goals focus areas bring attention to the problems that face the world's population now and in the future, and direct resources and innovation to resolving them. The background information about each Sustainable Development Goal focus area is provided.
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
For the MidTerm project, find examples of people fixing the world - organizations and programs that demonstrate how computers, the internet and technology are being used to provide solutions for ONE of these UN Sustainable Development Goals focus areas. Also get an understanding of the issues and possible solutions for other UN Sustainable Development Goals by reviewing and commenting on other reports.
- Review the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Pick one that interests you to research and report on for your project topic.
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
- Research Project - What is the current status of work on the UN Sustainable Development Goals you selected? How will technology help meet the goal? Suggest ideas for resolving these problems. Select and summarize 3-4 resources that demonstrate using technology. Include specific examples and links to the resources. Create a public Google doc with the information and links.
.. information about creating Google docs below. Be sure to Share your document so anyone with this web address can read it. Copy the web address as the link to your report. - Post a brief summary of the solutions demonstrated and the link to your Google doc report to the MidTerm - UN Sustainable Development Goals discussion.
- AND submit the same link and summary to the Assignment - MidTerm - UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Learn more about the other goals and solutions, why they are important and what is being done about each that showcases the use of technology. For 3 other UN Sustainable Development Goals review the reports, resources and comments and RESPOND to each topic.
- Grand Challenges for Engineering discussion - There are many OTHER challenges and technologies to provide solutions. Grand Challenges for Engineering identifies some important ones. What are some that interest you? Is it the problem or the technology possibilities? Does the technology exist to address these challenges? Application? Scalability? Sustainability? What is the hold-up? Find 1-2 additional resources that address other concerns not already covered by the Challenge projects. Post links and a question about each to the Grand Challenges for Engineering discussion.
- Interesting topics follow-up. In Module 2 Interesting topics discussion, you described a topic that interested you. For this activity, research that topic and prepare a brief review of 2-3 resources that added to your knowledge about this topic of interest. Post the links and your review to Interesting topics follow-up discussion. Review and comment on 2 other topics.
- Questionable benefits - For any of the proposed or implemented solutions, what questions do you have about the benefits to mankind that technology has brought (and can bring) to the world? What problems might be caused by technology? Ask 2-3 questions and describe why you think we should be wondering about the answers to these questions now? How would you find answers? Suggest ways to answer these questions. Submit this as your I wonder... assignment.
Sustainable Development Goals Challenges - sample resources
- 1. Global Risks 2023: Today’s Crisis - Global Risks Report 2023 | World Economic Forum
- With the global landscape dominated by manifesting risks, we introduce this year three time frames for understanding global risks: 1) current crises (i.e. global risks which are already unfolding),...
- 5 Global Issues to Watch in 2024 | unfoundation.org
- From major elections across the globe to simultaneous and converging catastrophes, 2024 will be a pivotal year that shapes the geopolitical landscape and humanity’s collective future.The new year...
- DevelopmentAid
- Annually, 297,000 children under the age of five die from diarrheal infections caused by poor sanitation, hygiene, or contaminated drinking water 80% of wastewater is discharged into the enviro...
- People Fixing the World: Coconuts fixing the world on Apple Podcasts
- podcast. We eat millions of tonnes of coconuts every year - with the dense white flesh of the fruit making a tasty snack and the juice a refreshing drink.But the inedible husk and shell go to waste...
- BBC World Service - People Fixing the World - Downloads
- Brilliant solutions to the world’s problems. We meet people with ideas to make the world a better place and investigate whether they work. Watch stories of people changing their world on the Worl...
Google docs
- 2016.6 594 . 2018.6 2196 . 2021.12 7750 . 2023.7 10116
