2021-22 Topic Round-up
A junior’s ideas after an interest identification activity
It’s time to publish our annual list of topics that our students are investigating and taking action on this year. 9th and 10th graders selected their top choices amongst the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and 11th and 12th graders selected topics of their own. Nearly 100% of our seniors have opted to continue nurturing their 11th grade Impact Projects as 12th grade Advanced Impact Projects. Additionally, we have a handful of 11th graders who are taking interests sparked as sophomores in our Local Issues curriculum and further pursuing the topic independently.
After safely being on campus for just over a month now with students and teachers, it’s clear there’s something special about in-person interaction and learning. Our students have already learned about a variety of topics from talking to dozens of guests on campus and by Zoom—homelessness, global recycling flows, mobility justice and pedestrian advocacy, just to name a few. We are hopeful that we’ll soon be able to safely organize visits off-campus to learn from the world around us.
As you review this list, please consider whether you or someone you know might be willing to chat with our students for an informational interview or, perhaps, consider a more substantial collaboration. A large part of the work we do in SIP is helping students mature into gracious researchers and professional communicators so they are poised to maintain respectful, lasting relationships.
Thank you for your consideration.
RJ Sakai
Director of Social Innovation
rjsakai@sequoyahschool.org
Do you know someone who does work, or has life experience they’d be willing to share related to these topics? I’d be happy to steward any introductions and answer any questions about what it means to visit with our students. Please contact me at rjsakai@sequoyahschool.org.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (9th & 10th grade)
Oceans: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
Peace: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Impact Projects (11th & 12th grade)
Combating sexual assault and dating violence
Restoring and sustainably developing the Los Angeles River
Making American Sign Language education more accessible
Teaching about the Civil Rights Movement through visual art
Combating misinformation through peer-to-peer education and advice
Supporting LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, especially through fashion
Supporting students with learning differences
Wildfires in the West
Educating about native plants through video games
Supporting English language learners
Addressing systemic barriers to professional success through internships
Effects of single use plastics on our oceans
Supporting LGBTQ+ youth through comics
Access to social services by people experiencing homelessness
Ecological sustainability of the post-death industry
Digital platform (learning management system) for schools with a mastery approach to assessment
Coding education with youth
Supporting children experiencing homelessness
Increasing legal literacy amongst immigrant populations
Pursuing language justice and language access within schools
Helping small business owners reduce their carbon footprint
Writing a TV pilot based on interviews with people who identify as LGBTQ+
Providing healing through music
Increasing the urban tree canopy
Supporting young people with chronic illness through mentoring
Diversifying beauty ideals through interactive art installation
Supporting survivors of sexual assault and trauma
