New Canaan Country School Eighth Graders Tackle Global Issues

Darien CT

08 June, 2021

11:06 AM

Description

New Canaan Country School eighth graders presented at the school's annual World Congress, a hallmark event of their year-long study of world cultures. "What they are learning is vital preparation for a generation of leaders who will have to bring knowledge, empathy and creative thinking to inescapable global challenges," said eighth-grade teacher Bart Fredo, who teaches the social-studies course. Additional eighth-grade teachers include Elizabeth Carroll and Will McDonough. In preparation for the event, held May 27, students examined the geography, history and cultures of Africa, the Middle East, East Asia and South Asia. Their course of study culminated in a major research project dealing with contemporary issues, including the environment, climate change, alternative energy, global health and human rights. During the World Congress symposium, students individually took to the podium to present their issue summaries and field questions from the audience of teachers and classmates. "They develop several vital skills that they will need as they move into high school, college and beyond," explained Mr. Fredo. "Critical thinking and research skills, of course, but equally important are peer collaboration, public speaking and the ability to think on one's feet."Topics and presenters included: Global Health Access to Healthcare - Jack Nally Life Expectancy - Isabella Sarracino Child Mortality - Penelope Arredondo Autism - Parker HansonAlzheimer's - Caroline DiBiasio World Health Organization - Lila Gizzie CDC - Annie BoggessPandemics - Matt Fry Immunization - Niall Glynn Tuberculosis - Eleanor duPont Heart Disease - Emma Cannon Cancer - Oliver Golden Stem-Cell Research - Ellie Israelov Human Rights Human Trafficking - Dominic Hartmann, Courtney EdwardsChild Labor - Regan Famigletti, Skyler GendasonAccess to Education/Illiteracy - Sebastian Kelsey, Penelope LegnaniGender Discrimination - Ellie Rosolen, Kieran Mohindra-Green Overpopulation - Reed Ghriskey, Brendan Buda Refugees - Ifeanyi Ndokwu, Morgan Powell, Aoife Flanagan Hunger - Daniel Marin, Matthew Schell Energy Biomass - Peyton AmbroseGeothermal - Katelyn BarrHydroelectric - Ana PetriconeNuclear - Jack Fichthorn, Josh FleuriotOcean Thermal Energy Conversion - Ambika NottSolar - Eloise Galante, Elizabeth HallTidal power- Ella KurtzWind - Emily Behr, Lyla Koch Electric vehicles - Brandon Krongard, Justin MimsPublic Transportation and Human Powered Vehicles - Colin Mackey, Brodie O'Connor EnvironmentClimate Change - Chris Santa, Riley Newport, Leena Aronson, Vy CullenWater Pollution - Margot Seiden, Rigs Conze, Alex ThiersaintAir Pollution - Dario SanonDeforestation - Lane Gallagher, Connor McNamaraBiodiversity - Annie HarriganHabitat Loss - Mark McNamaraEnvironmental Disasters - Matt Rivera, Oliver Johnson, Chandeny RahmanPlastics - Sabina Cherry and Bray Rudd New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Westchester and Fairfield counties. Graduates excel at top day, boarding and public secondary schools and go on to lead lives of impact and purpose. For more information, please visit countryschool.net.