Global Illinois: A Hub for Global Education in Illinois
Visit the Global Illinois site to find information about the Illinois Global Scholar Certificate for secondary students, to join the Illinois Global Education Network (IGEN), and to find global education resources for educators and opportunities for students. Be sure to check out the "Global Collaboration and Dialogue" section on the Resources page, as there are numerous learning opportunities for K-12 students.
Naperville Sister Cities
Naperville has two designated international sister cities: Nitra, Slovakia & Pátzcuaro, Mexico. The purpose of the Sister Cities Program is to "foster international understanding and friendship by forging personal links through city-to-city affiliations." Consider developing classroom partnerships with organizations or schools in Nitra or Pátzcuaro in order to creatively learn and solve global problems. Click here to visit the Naperville Sister Cities Facebook page.
Illinois Environmental Organizations
Click here for a comprehensive list of environmental organizations in Illinois, such as the Chicago Recycling Coalition, the DuPage Birding Club, and Save the Prairie Society.
Lincoln Marsh
The Lincoln Marsh is a natural area maintained by the Wheaton Park District. The organization's mission is to "increase awareness and appreciation for our connections to the earth and to each other through educational and social experiences in a healthy ecosystem."
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
The DuPage County Forest Preserve District offers field trips, self-guided explorations, and in-class presentations for pre-K through 12. Click here for more information about educational programming offered through the park district.
The Conservation Foundation
The Conservation Foundation is a nonprofit land and river protection organization with the mission "to preserve and restore open space and natural lands, protect rivers and watersheds, and promote stewardship of our environment in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois." The foundation offers educational programming to empower and engage students, and all programming is led by experienced, knowledgeable educators. Click here for information about school programs and field trips. Many programming options connect to the Naperville District 203 science curriculum.
SCARCE
SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education) is an environmental education nonprofit organization that is dedicated to creating sustainable communities through "innovative and hands-on education programs for schools and organizations, demonstrating care for our natural resources through our Book Rescue, and engaging the broader public through community-wide events and programs." Consider partnering with SCARCE for an environmental project or reaching out about educational programming.
WaterStep
WaterStep is a nonprofit organization in Louisville, Kentucky, that provides access to clean water all over the world, improved water transportation methods, better sanitation plans, and health education in developing countries. Though WaterStep is not technically a local resource for Illinois schools, you can still organize a shoe drive at your school to raise funds for the organization's mission. This is something that we did at Scott School in Spring 2017 as a take action component of the globalized unit plan highlighted on the "TEACH: Global Education Unit Plan" page of this Global Education Guide. Click here to learn more about hosting a shoe drive for WaterStep. A hand pump expert from WaterStep also Skyped with a 4th grade class at Scott School to teach students about how the organization goes about bringing clean water to global communities in need, so WaterStep can serve as an excellent partner for global learning.
Loaves & Fishes
Loaves & Fishes is a nonprofit in Naperville dedicated to ending hunger in the local community. According to the website, the organization believes: "…in the power of community to change lives. …that by working together we can accomplish great things. …that each person possesses inherent dignity. …in the nobility of the human spirit. …the opportunity to serve is a gift. …food is a right and not a privilege." The organization's beliefs link to global education themes, so Loaves & Fishes could be a valuable partner for a project or could simply serve as an educational resource.
Little Footprints Foundation
Little Footprints Foundation(LEF) is a nonprofit organization that helps children ages 4-16 who have lost one or both parent(s) in a tragic automobile accident. "Many of these children are left orphaned with no emotional, financial, or motivational support to help them work through the trauma they have experienced. All proceeds go to providing LEF children with emotional and financial support as well as fostering a loving community necessary for them to thrive again. [LEF's] cause is dedicated to making more mindful drivers, so less children have to lose their parents.” LEF also has resale stores in Chicago where people can donate gently used clothes, jewelry, furniture, and other items. All resale store proceeds benefit LEF children. Consider sponsoring an LEF event or holding a fundraiser or clothing drive to think globally and act locally.
NCTV17: Naperville Community Television
Naperville Community Television is a local news source. Visit the NCTV website to view educational documentaries about Naperville's history, to watch interviews with authors of all different genres, and to learn more about nonprofit organizations in our community and local business leaders and entrepreneurs. If you're doing something cool in your classroom, contact the NCTV about a possible feature story!
Center for Global Education: North Central College
The Center for Global Educationat North Central College is committed to ensuring that the Naperville community develops "knowledge and appreciation of cultural differences in both domestic and international settings." Consider reaching out to staff at the Center for Global Education for guidance on fostering global learning opportunities in your classroom.
Center for Global Studies: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Center for Global Studies at U of I is another local resource for global education resources. Click here for links to a wide variety of organizations, lesson plans/curriculum materials, primary and secondary source materials, and professional development opportunities for K-12 educators and students interested in global issues. The Center for Global Studies staff will also help organize classroom visits by subject-area specialists and will provide consulting on developing global studies programs in schools. For more information, contact them at [email protected].