There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t feel grateful and proud for my teenage daughter. The young lady that she has become and still becoming. For her independence, brightness and forward thinking. I don’t consider myself of a completely different generation per se (planet maybe ha!), but most young people nowadays are so incredibly aware of their environment and the impact their actions have on the planet, it’s wonderful. I certainly didn’t get exposed to learning opportunities about improving our habitat as a kid. Schools do their best with providing the basis for learning on various subjects, but I feel it’s up to us as parents to guide young people and help them be the thoughtful leaders of the newer generation. If you’re like me though – I wouldn’t know where to start. And therefore very thankful to charitable organisations like FIDA (Futures Institute at Dollar Academy) who took it upon themselves to create an incredible online resource for young people with innovative learning experiences to help build a more sustainable future. Not only are there numerous real-world global challenges young people can tackle and explore at home online for FREE, but they’re also able to take it further and even collaborate with innovative thinkers and experts in the industry and universities. All whilst achieving qualifications for their involvement and ideas as well.
Ask any kid about their favourite subject at school and you’re pretty much guaranteed the same answer from them all. PE, music, drama… How about real-world Global Challenges / projects built around the UN Sustainable Development Goals? How about offering young people the chance to make a real difference and be a part of the United Nations Member blueprint for peace and prosperity of people and the planet? A chance to develop new skills and new ways of thinking when approaching new challenges and projects? With potential work experience and mentoring with sustainable businesses? We’re in.
To get a taste of FIDA’s offered courses, Sasha signed up to learn and complete one of the 17 Global Development Goals’ Challenges – A Bioplastic Future. Plastic waste is a painful subject and requires urgent action and attention we believe, so exploring ways and expanding our thinking in how bioplastic can hopefully replace plastic in the future was a welcome lesson for our whole family. Like the majority of families nowadays, we go through a lot of waste and most of it comes from packaging unfortunately. We recycle everything that we can, but the amount of plastic waste is out there nonetheless is quite worrying. This challenge only took us around 3 hours to complete in total over a few days and not only did we make our own bioplastic from simple non-chemical edible ingredients, but we also learnt how we can improve our buying habits and perhaps even create our own reusable containers for every day use. Sasha carried out all the steps and it’s been so fun watching her take the initiative, as well as come up with some ideas on how we can be more sustainable at home as a family. She sketched some design ideas on some of the products she could create using her bioplastic. So cool. The details of “A Bioplastic Future” challenge are here with 5 simple steps to complete and the course is open now until 18th of June. There’s even an opportunity to be mentored by the experts at Highland Spring.
Having completed one challenge, I actually feel responsible to make sure that Sasha at least has a go at several more from the available list. They’re all so important and will make a huge difference to her way of thinking and future actions as a responsible human being on this planet.
We absolutely loved being introduced to FIDA and are delighted to have the opportunity to expand our skills and knowledge as a family whilst looking after our environment. I still can’t believe all of those courses / projects are for FREE and are available to all young people from 14-18 years old. Working and learning together at home for the past year due to Covid had its challenges and going back to school is still a tad confusing for kids at the moment. For parents too, as we still feel out of depths and control when it comes to guiding our kids with education. I honestly feel as though FIDA have given me some of that power back as a parent. I’m now able to rely on this incredible resource at any time, for free and be involved in bettering my kids’ skills, innovative thinking and at the same improving my family’s life with a global impact.
To learn more about FIDA – simply visit their website and follow them on social media to keep up with all the news.
For SQA courses CLICK HERE and Global Challenges CLICK HERE.
This is a paid partnership with FIDA. All opinions and creative directive are my own.