Social Justice: Change Through STEAM

Social Justice Change Through STEAM: Innovate, Create, Inspire is a dynamic program that blends science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to spark creativity and problem-solving. Through hands-on projects focused on sustainability, design, and social justice, participants develop critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience. With a focus on innovation and real-world challenges, this program empowers young minds to create, experiment, and inspire positive change in their communities.

In this program, it will be up to the Instructor(s) to gauge the interests of the group and decide how best to structure the overall term. A suggested 14 lesson plan is as follows (note that you might combine two or more lessons into one session or extend lessons over several several sessions depending on the group interests and your overall term length):

Unit 1: Foundations of STEAM & Social Justice

Lesson 1: What is STEAM & Why Does it Matter?

Objective: Students will understand the purpose of STEAM and its connection to real-world issues.

Materials: Large paper, white paper, pencils markers.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Introduction (10 min) – Create a “STEAM” word cloud. Ask students what they know about each area (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). Discuss how these fields solve problems.
  2. Discussion (15 min) – Introduce “social justice” and discuss examples (e.g., clean water access, fair education). Ask: How do STEAM skills help solve these problems?
  3. Activity (20 min) – In small groups, students list local problems that interest them. Groups share their top three problems.
  4. Reflection (5 min) – Each student writes one sentence about how STEAM can help solve a real-world problem.

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Example Social & Environmental Justice Topics for Grade 4 – 6 Students:
  1. Reducing Plastic Waste – How can we minimize plastic use and promote recycling?
  2. Access to Clean Water – How do people around the world struggle with access to safe drinking water?
  3. Food Waste & Hunger – How can we reduce food waste and help those in need?
  4. Air Pollution & Clean Energy – How does air pollution affect health, and what are cleaner alternatives?
  5. Sustainable Transportation – How can communities encourage biking, walking, or public transportation?
  6. Deforestation & Tree Planting – How does cutting down trees affect the environment, and what can we do to help?
  7. Helping Pollinators (Bees & Butterflies) – How can we create spaces to support bees and butterflies?
  8. Inclusion & Accessibility – How can we make schools, playgrounds, and buildings more accessible for everyone?
  9. Bullying & Kindness Initiatives – How can we create a culture of kindness in our school or community?
  10. Ocean & River Pollution – What are the effects of plastic and waste in our water systems?
Example Innovation & STEAM Topics for Grade 4 – 6 Students:
  1. Green Architecture & Eco-Friendly Buildings – How can we design buildings that help the environment?
  2. Urban Gardening & Food Deserts – How can growing food in cities help communities without grocery stores?
  3. Clothing Waste & Fast Fashion – What happens to old clothes, and how can we encourage sustainable fashion?
  4. Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Solutions – How can we design solutions for people facing natural disasters?
  5. Creative Art for Awareness – How can murals, posters, or sculptures inspire people to take action on important issues?
Lesson 2: Identifying Problems in Our Community

Objective: Students will explore local and global issues that need solutions.

Materials: Large paper, colored pencils.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Warm-Up (5 min) – Ask: “What problems have you seen in your neighborhood, school, or world?”
  2. Discussion (10 min) – Introduce concepts of environmental and social justice (e.g., pollution, food access, disability inclusion).
  3. Activity (25 min) – Students draw a “problem map” showing issues they see (e.g., trash in parks, unsafe sidewalks, lack of trees).
  4. Reflection (10 min) – Students circle one issue they care about most and share in pairs.
Lesson 3: Brainstorming Solutions Using Design Thinking

Objective: Students will learn the design thinking process and generate solutions.

Materials: Paper, markers.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Introduction (10 min) – Explain the design thinking steps: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test.
  2. Activity (30 min) – In pairs, students pick one issue from their problem map and sketch 2-3 solutions.
  3. Share & Reflect (10 min) – Each group shares their best idea. Discuss: “What was challenging about brainstorming?”

Unit 2: Engineering & Sustainability in Action

Lesson 4: Sustainable Building Challenge

Objective: Students will explore sustainable design and create a model of an eco-friendly structure.

Materials: A wide selection of paper, cardboard, glue, tape, markers.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Discussion (10 min) – What makes a building sustainable? (e.g., solar panels, rainwater collection).
  2. Activity (30 min) – Students design and build a model of a sustainable home or school.
  3. Reflection (10 min) – Groups explain their models and discuss improvements.
Lesson 5: Designing a Mini Community Garden

Objective: Students will understand urban gardening and food justice.

Materials: Paper, coloured pencils, paper cups, dirt discs, seed packets.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Discussion (10 min) – Why are community gardens important?
  2. Activity (30 min) – Students sketch a garden design including plants and structures. Students can plant a couple of seeds each to take home to start their own mini-garden.
  3. Reflection (10 min) – How do gardens help the community?

Unit 3: Mathematics & Art for Change

Lesson 6: Using Data to Tell a Story

Objective: Students will learn how data highlights social issues. (Note – this is a good lesson to combine with another – such as Lesson 10 – The Science of Social Change.

Materials: Graph paper, pencils.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Warm-Up (5 min) – Discuss how numbers show problems (e.g., food waste, air pollution).
  2. Activity (30 min) – Students collect simple data (e.g., counting trash on school grounds) and create a graph.
  3. Reflection (15 min) – What does our data reveal?
Lesson 7: Creating Awareness Through Art

Objective: Students will create advocacy posters.

Materials: Paper, markers.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Discussion (10 min) – How do murals, posters, and signs create change?
  2. Activity (30 min) – Students design posters about a chosen social issue.
  3. Reflection (10 min) – What message does your art send?
Lesson 8: Building for Accessibility

Objective: Students will design a small accessibility tool.

Materials: Craft materials (cardboard, tape, paper).

Lesson Plan:

  1. Discussion (10 min) – What makes a space accessible?
  2. Activity (30 min) – Students design and build a simple tool for accessibility.
  3. Reflection (10 min) – How does this help people with disabilities?

Unit 4: Science & Innovation for Social Good

Lesson 9: Renewable Energy & DIY Windmill

Objective: Students will understand renewable energy.

Materials: Paper, straws, scissors, pinwheel kits.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Discussion (10 min) – What is renewable energy?
  2. Activity (30 min) – Students build and test a simple paper windmill. Try building with the kits first, then ask students to see if they can create their own working model with found/crafts materials.
  3. Reflection (10 min) – How could we make this more efficient?
Lesson 10: The Science of Social Change

Objective: Students will write short persuasive messages using facts.

Materials: Paper, pencils.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Discussion (10 min) – How do facts create change?
  2. Activity (30 min) – Students write a speech using one important fact.
  3. Reflection (10 min) – What makes a fact persuasive?
Lesson 11: Storytelling for Impact

Objective: Students will write personal advocacy stories.

Materials: Paper, pencils.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Discussion (10 min) – How do stories create change?
  2. Activity (30 min) – Students write a short letter or speech about an issue.
  3. Reflection (10 min) – Who would you send this to?

Unit 5: Bringing It All Together

Lesson 12: Prototyping & Testing Solutions

Objective: Students will refine and test their ideas, working towards one final project, either on their own or in small groups.

Materials: Project materials from previous lessons.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Review (10 min) – Students share their project ideas.
  2. Activity (30 min) – Students make improvements based on peer feedback.
  3. Reflection (10 min) – How did your idea change?
Lesson 13: Final Project Development

Objective: Students will complete their projects.

Materials: Project materials.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Work Time (40 min) – Students finalize their projects.
  2. Practice (10 min) – Pair share: explain your project in one minute.
Lesson 14: Showcase & Reflection

Objective: Students will present and reflect on their projects.

Materials: Presentation space.

Lesson Plan:

  1. Gallery Walk (30 min) – Students present their projects in small groups.
  2. Feedback (10 min) – Peer feedback using “two stars and a wish.”
  3. Reflection (10 min) – What is your biggest takeaway from this program?
Social Justice Packing List

Note that a wide variety of crafting materials will be packed for this program. Depending on the interests of the participants, additional items may be requested by emailing Liz at any time. Please give at least 1 week notice when requesting supplies.

General Supplies (Used Across Multiple Lessons)

Writing & Drawing Materials:

  • 2 packs of markers (assorted colors)
  • 2 packs of colored pencils
  • 2 packs of crayons
  • 2 packs of pencils (#2, sharpened)
  • 2 packs of erasers
  • 1 pack of fine-tip black markers (for outlining drawings)
  • 3 packs of sticky notes

Paper Supplies:

  • 1 pack of poster board/large cardstock
  • 1 folder white paper
  • 2 packs of graph paper
  • 1 large roll of kraft paper
  • 1 pack of index cards

Adhesives & Fasteners:

  • 3 rolls of masking tape
  • 2 rolls of clear tape
  • 3 bottles of liquid glue
  • 3 glue sticks
  • 1 pack of rubber bands
  • 1 pack of paper clips

Cutting & Measuring Tools:

  • 5 pairs of child-safe scissors
  • 3 rulers (12-inch, with metric and standard measurements)
Lesson-Specific Materials

For Sustainable Building Challenge Lesson

  • Recycled materials (cardboard, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, etc.) – ask students to bring in items as needed
  • Small boxes or cartons (e.g., shoeboxes, milk cartons) – ask students to bring in items as needed
  • Fabric scraps (for insulation ideas)
  • Cotton balls or sponges (for rain collection model)

For Mini Community Garden Design Lesson

  • Seed packets (lettuce, basil, flowers, or other fast-growing plants)
  • Small paper cups
  • Potting soil (1 small bag) or dirt coils

For Creating Awareness Through Art Lesson

  • Paint (optional) (primary colors + black & white)
  • Paintbrushes (optional) (5 total)

For Building for Accessibility Lesson

  • Craft sticks (popsicle sticks) (100 total)
  • Pipe cleaners (1 pack)
  • Model magic

For Renewable Energy & DIY Windmill Lesson

  • Straws (20 total)
  • Paper squares (5-inch x 5-inch) for pinwheels
  • Push pins (1 pack)
  • Small wooden dowels or pencils with erasers (5 total)
  • Pinwheel kits
Miscellaneous (Optional but Helpful)
  • Plastic table covers (to protect surfaces during art & science activities)
Sustainability Considerations for Supplies:

✔️ Encourage students to bring recycled materials from home (Instructors can also bring in materials!) for building projects.
✔️ Reuse materials across lessons (e.g., poster paper from brainstorming can be used for final projects).
✔️ Use natural/found materials where possible (e.g., pebbles, leaves, and sticks in engineering challenges).