WWU’s ‘Facing the Future’ Debuts its Newest Sustainability Curriculum, ‘Big World, Small Planet’

Facing the Future, a leader in the development of global sustainability curricula for educators around the world and a program of Western Washington University, has published the fourth and final module of its newest curriculum, “Big World, Small Planet.”

Designed for students in grades 8-12, each of the four modules contain a student reader with integrated, standard-aligned activities along with a teacher’s guide.

The series begins with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary look into the core concepts of sustainability and related global issues. Each module progresses to offer students a further and more meaningful understanding and application of concepts and strategies to current, real-world issues such as biodiversity, food, water, air, energy, consumerism and climate change.

“’Big World, Small Planet’ helps young people see themselves as part of a larger, interconnected community of life, able to bring about the kind of future they want,” said its author, Ann Hemplemann. “Issues like climate change are driving the need for new ways of thinking and living, we are helping young people build a bridge to that future.”

Notably, “Big World, Small Planet” conforms to STEM academic standards and the North American Association of Environmental Education’s best practices for environmental literacy.

To learn more about “Big World, Small Planet” Modules 1-4, visit facingthefuture.org or email facingthefuture@wwu.edu.