Global Connections (Call for Papers)

July 2021: Global Connections Deadline September 1, 2020 Let's face it, our world is shrinking due to technological advancements in communication and transportation, and that's a good thing! It means we can more easily learn from others, share ideas across the globe, and tackle crucial worldwide issues. What better way to build a collective vision for global citizenry than to have students engaged in problem-solving, creative thinking, and the sharing of data not just across the hallway, but with students on the other side of the world!

The benefits are endless as students learn about other cultures, traditions, languages, and they build empathy as well as mutual respect. Whether it's student collaborative projects or teacher collaborations, we learn so much from engaging in real-world situations. This truly opens minds and hearts as we learn about our sameness and similar struggles.

This issue, we will focus on your experiences and successes in building a global connection where students are learning from and with others as they tackle science and engineering issues affecting our world. Through global connections, we can solve problems, strengthen understanding of critical worldwide issues, and build long-lasting collegial relationships.

Note: we are not seeking reflective pieces about global collaborations; instead, please share your experiences in a way so that our readers can replicate portions or an entire project or learning experience.

Additional focus for this issue may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Share how including global connections and resources enhanced a lesson or instructional sequence for students. How did the global connection augment student learning?

• Explain a project of collaboration for teachers, with an opportunity to focus on global issues in science and engineering teaching and learning. How has an emphasis on global collaboration affected student engagement, perspectives, and attitudes towards finding solutions?

• Identify key worldwide issues that lend themselves to global learning collaborations. Share how these worldwide issues, addressed through the global lens, have added to student understandings of essential science and engineering concepts.