The Slingshot Challenge by our partners at the National Geographic Society is now accepting submissions! This exciting initiative gives students ages 13–18 the opportunity to research, create, and share a 1-minute video focused on solving an important environmental challenge in their community.
Why should English language educators share the Slingshot Challenge with their students?
The Slingshot challenge is a fantastic way to bring learning to life for students and expand their learning beyond the classroom. With Slingshot, students can use their voice and ingenuity to come up with a solution to an environmental issue where they are. It’s also a great opportunity to use English to share their solution. Some of the key competencies the Slingshot Challenge addresses include:
- Project work
- Service based learning
- Communication skills
- Critical Thinking
- Collaboration with others
- Problem solving
- 21st Century Skills
Tips for incorporating the Slingshot Challenge into your English language classroom
Are you wondering how to get your English language learners involved in the Slingshot Challenge and unsure where to start? Take a look at our simple in-class activities and ideas for supporting students in creating and sharing their videos.
1. Introduce the Challenge and Context
Activity: Begin with a multimedia presentation or discussion about environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, or waste management. Use National Geographic videos, articles, or case studies to spark curiosity.
Strategy: Link the challenge to students’ daily lives to make it relevant. Discuss local environmental issues and explore how they relate to global concerns. For example, you could have students use the ‘See, Think, Me, We’ activity below to explore their role in protecting animal habitats.
2. Align with Curriculum Goals
Activity: Cross-Disciplinary Integration
- Science: Study ecosystems, renewable energy, or the carbon cycle.
- English: Practice writing persuasive proposals or delivering presentations.
- Social Studies: Explore cultural perspectives on environmental conservation.
- Math: Analyze data or model environmental impact through statistics.
Strategy: Map challenge activities to curriculum objectives to maintain a balance between innovation and academic standards.
3. Inspire Ideas through Exploration
Activity: Organize brainstorming sessions using prompts like:
- “What environmental problem do you see in your community?”
- “How could technology or simple changes help solve this?”
Strategy: Encourage exploration by inviting guest speakers (e.g. teachers, local environmentalists) or facilitating virtual field trips.
4. Project Development and Guidance
Activity: Guide students in forming teams to develop their projects.
- Research and identify a specific problem.
- Brainstorm innovative solutions.
- Create prototypes or action plans.
Strategy: Use project-based learning (PBL) methods. Divide the process into manageable milestones: problem definition, research, ideation, prototyping, and presentation.
5. Incorporate Core Skills Development
- Creativity: Encourage students to think outside the box by exploring unconventional ideas or combining existing solutions in innovative ways.
- Communication: Teach students how to pitch their ideas effectively through presentations or videos.
- Critical Thinking: Encourage analysis of environmental data to back their solutions.
- Collaboration: Assign roles within teams to foster teamwork and accountability.
6. Use Technology and Digital Tools
Activity: Leverage tools like Canva for design, video-editing apps for presentations, and online platforms for collaboration (e.g., Google Workspace).
Strategy: Introduce these tools as part of regular lessons to prepare students for their project submissions.
7. Showcase and Celebrate
Activity: Host a classroom or school-wide “Slingshot Showcase” where students present their ideas and receive feedback from peers and local community members.
Strategy: Make this an event that mimics the real Slingshot Challenge, inspiring pride and confidence in their work.
8. Reflect and Evaluate
Activity: After the projects are complete, engage students in reflective activities such as journals or group discussions about their learning journey.
Strategy: Use rubrics to assess not only the final product, but also the skills and effort demonstrated during the process.
Ready to bring Slingshot to your English language classroom and bring your students’ learning to life? Visit National Geographic’s website to learn more about the Slingshot Challenge and register your students!
Video submissions are due Friday, February 7th, 2025.
Thank you for the great article, a wonderful motivation, a unique opportunity to develop students’ skills.
Thank you for your comment! We are happy to hear you found the post useful and would love to know if any of your students participate in the Slingshot Challenge!