Shady Side Academy Middle School students devoted an entire school day to service learning on the sixth annual Global Action Day, held Thursday, Dec. 13. Approximately 210 students in grades 6-8 spent the day learning about complex social issues and engaging in hands-on service activities. The theme this year was health, with each grade focusing on a particular aspect of this larger topic and partnering with a different nonprofit organization. Director of SSA Farms Anna Sekine gave a keynote presentation at an assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 11, to kick off the day and explain its theme and purpose.

Having recently read the book A Long Walk to Water in English, sixth graders focused on global issues surrounding access to clean water, partnering with the nonprofit Water for South Sudan. Students first watched a movie about water and participated in activities such as a water lab and a water footprint calculator. They made conservation posters and created an informational poster gallery in the hallway, then they Skyped with Lillygol Sedaghat, a National Geographic explorer and storyteller. Finally, students participated in a Walk to Water simulation as a fundraiser for Water for South Sudan's Iron Giraffe Challenge. Having gathered pledges from friends and family in advance, students walked up and down the campus drive carrying water jugs on their heads.

Seventh graders focused on air quality, partnering with the local nonprofit GASP (Group Against Smog and Pollution). Students heard a presentation and did a learning activity with Chelsea Hilty, education and events coordinator for GASP. Next they used CUSP (Climate & Urban Systems Partnership) kits and monitors to measure air quality and learn about the effects of pollution. The students then took an off-campus field trip to the Frick Environmental Center, and upon their return, created and shared public service announcements (PSAs) about air quality.

Eighth graders explored the issues of food access and waste, partnering with the local nonprofit 412 Food Rescue. Students participated in a learning exercise in which they had to plan a menu for a family on a fixed income and go grocery shopping at Giant Eagle on a SNAP budget. They also participated in a Privilege Walk exercise. After returning from Giant Eagle, students heard from Hana Uman, program director of special programs and projects at 412 Food Rescue. The school donated all food purchased at Giant Eagle to 412 Food Rescue.

The goal of Global Action Day is to raise awareness and educate students about key issues while empowering them to impact change in their local community. The annual service day was organized by social studies teacher Molly Braver '94 in cooperation with Interim School Head Brian Johnston and the Middle School faculty.

View a photo slideshow of Global Action Day 2018: