“A utopia is an imagined community or society that possesses highly desirable or nearly perfect qualities for its citizens.”
Sir Thomas More
We were tasked with developing our own ‘Utopian Society’ which adhered to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We welcomed feedback from industry professionals to refine and develop our creative ideas. We used different aspects from curriculum subjects to piece together to make our version of a perfect community – Guoptis.
English
At the beginning of Term 3, we started a novel study on the book titled ‘The Giver’ written by Lowis Lowry.
This first introduced us to the theory of a ‘Utopian Society’, where there were no flaws.
Science
Towards the completion of the First Semester, we researched the sustainable features that can be incorporated in a house.
In groups, we had to design and create a house that included 30 features that made the house more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
HASS
During our HASS lessons, we explored the liveability factors that affect the choices that people make about where to live.
These are grouped as either objective factors or subjective factors. We tried to anticipate these factors when planning the layout of Guoptis.
Digital Technology
In Digital Technology, we explored how to use the software called CoSpaces. Using this software we were able to create realistic landscapes, and also incorporate augmented reality.
InnovatED
During InnovatED lessons we were introduced to the United Nations 17 Global Goals.
Whilst planning Guoptis, we endeavoured to receive accreditation for 4 UN Global Goals:
• Good Health and Mental Wellbeing
• Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Quality Education
• Affordable and Clean Energy
HASS
During HASS lessons, we studied the Rights and Responsibilities for citizens of a country. We also researched many other factors of citizens living in different countries.
We then included what we thought were the key aspects in our Utopian Constitution of Guoptis.
English
We had two opportunities to present our Utopia, Guoptis: one to our Year 7 peers, and one to the external visitors on the presentation night.
We were able to articulate our ideas clearly and answer technical questions.
ASC Capabilities
Organisation – We planned a backwards planner to help us be organised for each week’s lesson.
Leadership – We feel proud, after the Utopia Project knowing that we faced many worldwide problems and thought of smart and ingenious ideas to help people around the world.
Collaboration – We collaborated well for the entirety of the project, even though we had a few hiccups here and there.
Effective communication – We used effective communication via Teams and email, to help us organise what everybody would be doing during the InnovatED sessions.
Problem-solving – We faced so many problems and issues throughout the project, however, we managed to think of smart solutions to try and help fix these problems.
Self-aware – We were self-aware of what problems the UN Global Goals were trying to help resolve around the world, so we incorporated four UN goals to focus on making our theoretical ‘Utopia’, ‘Guoptis’ the best version of a ‘Utopian Society.’
Resilience – We faced many problems and issues throughout the project; however, we managed to bounce back and think of solutions to fix these problems.
Inquisitive – We were inquisitive in many factors throughout the project. One example of our group being inquisitive is when we had to research information to receive accreditations for the UN Global Goals.
Reflection
| What went well? | I feel that oral and the presentation night went well, as we received so many compliments on how cool and sustainable our Utopia is, and how interesting and unique our flag was. We were also able to create our ideas digitally using CoSpaces software. I feel that we developed a useable Constitution as we were clear on the rights and responsibilities of citizens. |
| What could we have done better? | I think that our group as a whole worked extremely well. Although, one thing that we could have improved on is time management. Time management was an important factor throughout the project, as quite often team members were getting distracted by other groups and not doing enough work. |
| What would I do differently? | If we were to do this project again I would aim for trying to achieve another accreditation for a UN Global Goal. I was quite interested in the Global Goal number 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, as I would be interested in the science behind how you can sanitise dirty water. |
| Aspects I found challenging | Some aspects that I found quite challenging was managing time. We had to complete many complex tasks in a short amount of time, and this took a lot of collaboration between our team members. It was often difficult to decide which order to complete the tasks, as some relied on others to be completed first. |
| Parts I enjoyed the most. | A few things I enjoyed the most was the freedom throughout the entirety of the project. Another thing that I appreciated was the knowledge and information shared to us from the experts and professors who came to our school. The last thing I enjoyed the most, was presentation night when all the cohort’s parents, teachers and special guests walked around the top floor of building 5/6 and listened to everybody presentation. |
Conclusion
Throughout this Utopian project, we learned many ASC Capabilities as well as putting to work the school’s values of Empathy, Respect, Integrity and Courage.
Our group is very privileged to have experienced the expert advice and feedback that we received from our external visitors.