Learning Resources
Teach the Future
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Bring Expo to your classroom with our curated class material (45 min)
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Bringing the World Together
Holistic Aim
To help students recognise and appreciate that we are all similar and different, and that our differences are positive.Learning Objectives
- Articulate ideas and excitement about the future Expo 2020 could help create
- Identify a personal goal for the future, and understand how by listening and connecting, we can help one another
- Describe a positive change we would like to see in our community and, by understanding the importance of listening, identify a question which could help create this change

Hosting the World in 2021
Holistic Aim
Students will learn about UAE’s participation in World Expos and its drive to become one of the developed countries that values its past but embraces the future.Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of pavilions and their importance for the UAE and other countries at World Expos
- Explore the opportunities Expo 2020 is providing to countries with the assisted and self-build pavilion scheme.

Majlis Around the World
Holistic Aim
To help students recognise that through mindful and meaningful communication, we can work together towards innovative solutions to issues that affect people all over the world.Learning Objectives
- List some aspects of tolerance and describe how these contribute to a Majlis, along with other skills and practices
- Generate and explain an outline for a Majlis Delivery Toolkit, identifying the elements of the challenge and collaborating and negotiating to agree its content
- Share ideas for how to promote Majlis Toolkits at Expo 2020 and the global benefits their Toolkits could deliver

Presenting Pavilions
Holistic Aim
Students will learn about UAE’s participation in World Expos and its drive to become one of the developed countries that values its past but embraces the future.Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of pavilions and their importance for the UAE and other countries at World Expos
- Explore the heritage and culture of the UAE through its pavilions at World Expos

The Empathy Circle
Holistic Aim
To recognise that when we seek to understand others, and are mindful of the way we communicate our emotions and words, we are practicing empathy.Learning Objectives
- Describe what it feels like to be truly listened to
- List some positive differences we might see in the world if people really listened to one another
- Share creative ideas for a ‘Majlis space’ at Expo 2020.

UAE Expo Adventure
Holistic Aim
Students will learn about UAE’s participation in World Expos and its drive to become one of the developed countries that values its past but embraces the future.Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of pavilions and their importance for the UAE and other countries at World Expos
- Explore the heritage and culture of the UAE through its pavilions at World Expos.
Mobility
Creating a connected world with humanity in mind

AI and Us
Holistic Aim
To help students appreciate how artificial intelligence, blockchains and quantum physics shape our current world and could make life even better for people living in the near and distant future.Learning Objectives
- Define in simple words AI, algorithm, machine learning and deep learning
- Identify some potential future roles for AI and robotics
- Describe guiding rules that can shape how AI and robotics can contribute to a better future

AI for Wildlife
Holistic Aim
To help students appreciate how artificial intelligence (AI), blockchains and quantum physics shape our current world and could make life even better for people living in the near and distant future.Learning Objectives
- Discover that AI is how computers can make complex decisions, and that machine learning is how AI improves
- Name some of the most important species in the UAE and list some unique visual features of one species
- Explain one way in which AI might help to conserve species in the UAE

Blockchain Escape Race
Holistic Aim
To introduce students to some of the UAE’s goals for using artificial intelligence, blockchains and other smart technologies.Learning Objectives
- Explore how the UAE is looking at blockchains as one way to make UAE the world’s leading nation
- Explain that a blockchain is a secure way to store and share information, which allows people to trust important transactions
- Explain that a hash is a way to know that two digital files are exactly the same.

Body Smart
Holistic Aim
To introduce the idea that humans can use Body Smart technologies to help them lead healthier lives, become better at sports, or help them learn.Learning Objectives
- Explore Body Smart technologies that can be used to monitor various aspects our lives, including setting goals for a healthier lifestyle, recording data on how we spend our time and helping us do things more easily
- Identify examples of how these wearables can provide information that can be used to improve our lives
- Design and build a Body Smart device prototype that solves or manages a lifestyle challenge.

Climate Change Migration
Holistic Aim
To introduce the concept that climate change can affect human migration, in both positive and challenging ways. Extreme changes in climate mean that while some areas of the world are becoming less habitable—displacing communities and leading them to migrate—other regions could become more habitable with technological advances which, in turn, enable new economic activities such as farming, agriculture, or tourism to thrive where they might not previously have been possible.Learning Objectives
- Explain how climate change can have an impact on human migration
- Describe how some communities adapt to climate change with technology
- Identify ways to address the issue of climate change and migration.

Connecting Communities
Holistic Aim
There are now more conversations between machines than between human beings. This lesson aims to introduce students to the idea that these conversations and the connections between people, things, processes and data can be used to benefit humanity.Learning Objectives
- Explain that quantum physics describes how particles behave at atomic and subatomic scale
- Describe an interactive exhibit that brings to life a natural quantum phenomenon
- Suggest other natural mysteries that ‘connecting minds’ might help to solve.

Connecting the expo
Holistic Aim
There are now more conversations between machines than between human beings. This lesson aims to introduce students to the idea that these conversations and the connections between people, things, processes and data can be used to benefit humanity.Learning Objectives
- Define the Internet of Everything
- Understand how the Internet of Everything can enhance personalisation of large events, thus improving the visitor experience
- Design ways that the Internet of Everything can benefit Expo 2020.

Connecting Things
Holistic Aim
There are now more conversations between machines than human beings. This lesson aims to introduce students to the idea that these conversations and the connections between our everyday things can benefit humanity.Learning Objectives
- Understand that machines can communicate
- Realise the potential of conversations between machines
- Explain what is meant by the Internet of Things.

Converging Innovations
Holistic Aim
To introduce the idea that humans can use convergent innovations to solve local and global challenges, with life-changing results.Learning Objectives
- Explore different aspects of science and technology and how these come together as convergent innovations
- Explain how convergent innovations can solve local and global challenges, with life-changing results, including their own suggestions
- Identify the vision, mission and values of Expo 2020 and its theme of ‘Connecting minds, Creating the Future’
- Describe our own vision, mission and values for an innovation hub.

Human 2050
Holistic Aim
To introduce the idea that humans and technology are merging together in many ways. Technology can improve and enhance our lives; it could therefore lead to many exciting possibilities in the future, but also some challenges we need to be aware of.Learning Objectives
- Explore how technology can assist humans and improve our lives
- List examples of how technology can be used to augment the human body to improve peoples’ lives
- Identify some of the challenges and limitations of technology
- Explore how human values can shape technology in a positive way.

Human Migration
Holistic Aim
To introduce the idea that humans have been on the move for the past 60,000 years and will continue to do so into the future. Today, mobility is integral to 21st century life and is one of the key drivers of globalisation and commerce.Learning Objectives
- List some reasons for migration
- Explain how migration can change a region
- Identify how migration has affected Middle Eastern cuisine
- Explore some of the possibilities that migration provides.

Journey to Space
Holistic Aim
To help students understand the scale of our solar system and see how it offers hope and opportunity for the future.Learning Objectives
- Know that space is extremely big but offers hope of new places to inhabit in the future
- Discover that UAE aims to be the best country in the world by 2071
- Describe a feature of an amazing ‘country in space’ that would attract visitors and residents.

Mars Space City 2117
Holistic Aim
To enable students to explore the future of mobility by examining the concept of creating a scientific city on Mars, and researching UAE’s vision to push the frontiers of knowledge and explore new worlds with the National Space Programme.Learning Objectives
- Describe the goals for the UAE Space Mission
- Explore what cities provide for their residents
- Explore what is needed for life, distinguishing between concrete and abstract elements
- Develop a plan for creating a liveable city on Mars.

Our Nano Future
Holistic Aim
To help students appreciate how the very large and very small might influence and help to create our future, from colonising the solar system or beyond, to how nano-scale and quantum properties can help create our future.Learning Objectives
- Explain that everything is made of atoms and that the nano scale describes objects that are billionths of a metre in size
- Name some natural and man-made nano-scale objects
- Describe a nano solution to a global challenge and some ways in which UAE can ensure new nanotechnology is used for good

Our Quantum World
Holistic Aim
To help students appreciate how the very large and very small might influence and help to create our future, from colonising the solar system or beyond, to how nano-scale and quantum properties can help create our future.Learning Objectives
- Explain that quantum physics describes how particles behave at atomic and subatomic scale
- Describe an interactive exhibit that brings to life a natural quantum phenomenon
- Suggest other natural mysteries that ‘connecting minds’ might help to solve.

People of determination
People of Determination
It allows students to see how determination can allow people to overcome challenges and to consider how they can show determination in their own lives. They will be introduced to some cutting-edge new technologies which are making mobility inclusive and accessible, and come up with their own ideas for the future.Learning Objectives
- Understand that people have physical limitations that could make everyday tasks difficult to do
- Explain why it is important to ensure inclusiveness for everyone
- Describe how innovation and technology can increase accessibility and ease our lives to do things that we might otherwise find challenging
- Demonstrate how the UAE empowers People of Determination

Speed of Imagination
Holistic Aim
Introduce the concept that imagination and emotion have a part to play in human mobility and explore the role of the human imagination in making things possible, in helping us to reach our goals, and in changing the world around us for the better.Learning Objectives
- Use our imagination to create a community of the future
- Explain that all aspects of life rely on human imagination
- Know that imagination is important for progress and innovation.

The Last Mile
Holistic Aim
To introduce the concept of the last mile and the challenges that this can present around the world, while enabling students to explore the measures that have been taken across the UAE and the world, to aid the process of water, energy and food mobility to benefit citizens.Learning Objectives
- Appreciate how many items are delivered each day worldwid
- Identify what leads to the last mile challenge in many countries
- Create a business idea that can make a social difference.
Opportunity
Creating a better, healthier and more inclusive future for humanity

A Hyper Speed World
Holistic Aim
Students learn about how careers will change in the future, and how automation and other developing technologies will drive that change. In order to be prepared for the world of tomorrow, students need to understand how technologies like 3D printing, VR and hyper-speed automated travel will make life easier, and shape their future working lives.Learning Objectives
- Identify the technologies that are likely to have the biggest impact on the future job market, and how they could affect day-to-day life
- Name the career sectors that are most likely to shrink and those that will grow
- Identify the skills needed to succeed in the future job market
- Identify how Expo 2020 Dubai will inspire careers of the future.

Architecture at Expo 2020
Holistic Aim
To encourage students to consider how an architect designs a building and what aspects they must consider, and also to appreciate how these design features have been used in past Expos and in Expo 2020 Dubai.Learning Objectives
- Give reasons why buildings can shape lives through their emotional and environmental design choices and impacts
- Present and justify a building design
- Articulate ideas about how building design can change when design decisions shift from function to social, cultural and environmental impacts

Art and Culture
Holistic Aim
To encourage students to think about the ways in which art connects us as human beings, no matter where we are from – particularly in terms of public art and through everyday objects which can have universal meanings and messages – but also bond us together as local communities.Learning Objectives
- Think about the ways in which art can express feelings and encourage shared experiences
- Realise that we can tell stories and share ideas through art
- Consider how art can convey important messages which initiate conversations and connections between people
- Discover how everyday items can be elevated to art and how they can serve to represent a community with pride and change people’s thinking
- Consider ways in which we can reach out to people, including young people in our communities, encouraging them to get involved with our ideas and tell their own stories through everyday objects.

Augmented and Virtual Students
Holistic Aim
To inspire students to think about how we can use technology to enhance the way we learn.Learning Objectives
- Understand AR and VR
- Identify the range of experiences AR and VR will offer
- Understand the benefits of AR and VR.

Big Data Big Art
Holistic Aim
To encourage students to transform big data into visually stunning art pieces that express a theme of Digital Citizenship, in order to show how information can be shared between people using technology, to bring about positive changes and connections in our world.Learning Objectives
- Think about how art can communicate information in an exciting and aesthetically-pleasing way – being both useful and beautiful
- Be good ‘digital citizens’.
- Analyse data sets and design a public art installation using this information, considering the messages it would send to our community and the wider world, and the positive changes it could make
- Consider what data says about us and how technology can be used to share our messages in a positive way
- Discuss how data combined with art and technology can bring about positive changes and connections across the world

Catching The Sun and Wind
Holistic Aim
To introduce the idea that food is more sustainable when it is grown locally, and how modern farming techniques now make this possible in UAE.Learning Objectives
- Recognise that energy strategies worldwide aim to combat climate change by increasing the use of renewable energy
- Describe the goals for UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050
- Give examples of which renewable energy systems can be used in different areas around the world
- Explain how making a community more sustainable creates opportunities for young people
- Give examples of the innovative projects that have been submitted to the Expo Live Programme

Cityzen 2030
Holistic Aim
By 2030, 60 percent of city populations will be under the age of 18. Many of the best solutions and ideas to address the biggest challenges of our times will come from the next generation of urban citizens - or ‘cityzens ’.Learning Objectives
- Explore the concept of responsible citizenship in an urban environment
- Recognise some of the challenges that cities face around the world
- Identify ways in which cities can present solutions to those challenges

Colour Outside The Lines
Holistic Aim
Introduce the idea that innovations and developments are radically changing the types of careers and skills that will be in demand in the future.Learning Objectives
- Understand that skills can be applied to a wide variety of jobs – including those that do not yet exist
- Name career sectors most likely to expand, and the skills that are likely to be most useful
- Identify the skills needed for a range of jobs
- See that Expo 2020 can help them understand careers of the future

District 2020
Holistic Aim
Introduce the concept of District 2020 as a destination for connection, creation and innovation.Learning Objectives
- Identify how to make cities a good place to live for people, the environment and the future
- Discover how District 2020 will continue the work of Expo 2020
- Use our imagination and creative skills to create a future city mural.

How Pink is Your Farm
Holistic Aim
To introduce the idea that food is more sustainable when it is grown locally, and how modern farming techniques now make this possible in UAE.Learning Objectives
- Explain the differences between traditional farming and vertical pink farming
- Identify how vertical pink farming would benefit us, our community and the world, including conserving precious water, ensuring food security and creating opportunities

Making Energy Beautiful
Holistic Aim
To inspire students to think about learning as something that can happen outside a traditional classroom, and to look at the world around them as the ultimate learning experience.Learning Objectives
- Examine the world around us to design innovative learning experiences
- Produce and deliver a pitch to win investment to build a learning park
- Explore how to using innovation creatively to enhance learning and increase connectivity within communities.

Music and Tolerance
Holistic Aim
To encourage the students to engage with music and consider how it canbe used to bring people of various cultures together, and to communicate important messages about equality, tolerance and inclusivity.Learning Objectives
- Recognise that music can make us feel a variety of emotions
- Explore the idea that music can bring people of different cultures together
- Explore the ways in which music can promote tolerance and inclusivity
- Explore examples of music featured at past Expos and created for Expo 2020
- Write lyrics to promote equality, tolerance and inclusion
- Consider how visual elements can be used to make even more moving, and a message even clearer and more powerful by creating a simple storyboard.

The Connected City
Holistic Aim
To show that The Connected City is a place for 21st-century life with a balanced live-play-work model.Learning Objectives
- State what a connected city is, and what the benefits are for its citizens
- Discover how the values and ideas of Expo 2020 Dubai will influence the development of District 2020
- Name some of the different job roles that are involved in developing cities
- Work together on different sections of the Masterplan for a future city, to imagine ourselves in different urban planning roles.

The Infinite Classroom
Holistic Aim
To inspire students to think about the future of schools, and how technology can enhance the way we learn.Learning Objectives
- Understand what future schools might be like
- Discover that learning will use technology to make it engaging, inclusive and exciting
- Explain the new links between learning and opportunities to connect and interact with their communities.

The World as Our Classroom
Holistic Aim
To inspire students to think about learning as something that can happen outside a traditional classroom, and to look at the world around them as the ultimate learning experience.Learning Objectives
- Examine the world around us to design innovative learning experiences
- Produce and deliver a pitch to win investment to build a learning park
- Explore how to using innovation creatively to enhance learning and increase connectivity within communities.

Tracking Trends for Good
Holistic Aim
To introduce students to the concept that data can be beautiful and can tell a story. The stories that data tells can be used to vastly improve the lives of individuals, communities, and even entire cities and countries.Learning Objectives
- Explain and demonstrate how to track trends to help build happier communities
- Describe how tracking trends can shape the future
- Suggest how tracking trends can help build stronger, happier communities.

Visualising the World
Holistic Aim
To introduce students to the importance of data and the concept that the way data is displayed can aid understanding. The Lesson Plan aims to show students how organisations, businesses and governments use data visualisation tools to ask better questions of the data they collect, as well as gain greater understanding of that data, which in turn helps them make better decisions.Learning Objectives
- Describe how we can use data to see the world
- Understand the impact of data visualisation
- Explain how we can use data to improve our lives and create opportunities
- Predict the future using data

What Colour Is Your Jet Pack
Holistic Aim
Students think and talk about the dream job that they aspire to, and they learn about the skills they might need for their future careers. These skills will cover a variety of subject areas.Learning Objectives
- Understand more about jobs that will exist in the future
- Identify career traits for future careers
- Identify our dream job and consider what we need to achieve it.
Sustainability
Charting a path for a better, greener future

Closing the Plastic Loop
Holistic Aim
Students will learn that we shouldn’t just throw away waste – it’s a resource we can use to make something new.Learning Objectives
- Understand that plastic is reusable and can create new things
- Identify the ways in which we use plastic and consider alternatives
- Create a storyboard about reducing plastic and summarise learning.

Fuel of the Future
Holistic Aim
To introduce the concept that energy makes our world brighter, and creating a brighter future means using renewable energy that can offer a cleaner and greener future for our planet.Learning Objectives
- Describe in simple terms how clean hydrogen is produced and used
- Explore ways in which communities can transition to hydrogen, thinking about both new technologies and new thinking
- Identify opportunities that could drive a transition to renewable fuels at different levels, from personal to global.

Renewable Energy
Holistic Aim
To introduce the concept that energy makes our world brighter, and creating a brighter future means using renewable energy that can offer a cleaner and greener future for our planet.Learning Objectives
- Understand that we use energy in all aspects of our daily lives but this can add to global warming when we use fossil fuels like gas
- Identify ways in which UAE already generates renewable energy, and could do so in the future
- List some ways in which the Sustainability Pavilion can show how buildings and countries can become more sustainable

The Artificial Leaf
Holistic Aim
To introduce the concept that energy makes our world brighter, and creating a brighter future means using renewable energy that can offer a cleaner and greener future for our planet.Learning Objectives
- Discover how photosynthesis creates glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water, and that artificial leaves convert water into hydrogen and oxygen
- Describe how artificial leaves could be integrated into buildings and other aspects of community or city design
- Explain biomimicry and describe applications in a city of the future.

The Cold Chain
Holistic Aim
The ice cream cone was popularised at the 1904 World Expo in St. Louis. Students will explain the cold chain in relation to ice cream, and think about how we can radically change the supply chain to make it more sustainable.Learning Objectives
- Apply the key concepts of cold chains, circular economy, linear economy, technosphere and biosphere
- Consider the impact of cold chains on resources in the UAE
- Use closed-loop design to create a more sustainable supply chain.

Waste Free Ocean
Holistic Aim
Students will learn about what microplastics are and why they are harmful to the ocean through a range of interactive activities.Learning Objectives
- Understand what microplastics and microbeads are, and why they are harmful to the environment, particularly marine life
- Explain how microplastics end up in the ocean
- Discover ways to reduce waste from plastic and suggest alternatives to microbeads.

Buildings to Life
Holistic Aim
To introduce the concept that human designs can have a positive relationship with the natural environment and create benefits for both humanity and nature.Learning Objectives
- Create awareness that our built environment interacts with the natural world and can have an impact on our lives
- Design a regenerative building and explain its functions and benefits
- Identify and share some positive effects regenerative buildings can have on residents and communities.

Conservation City 2071
Holistic Aim
To introduce students to some of the extraordinary natural ecosystems that can be found in UAE. These precious habitats are home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, some of which can only be found in UAE. Inspire students to support the conservation and preservation of the natural habitats that exist in UAE.Learning Objectives
- Name some of the wildlife of the UAE and recall facts about one species
- Identify the meaning of biodiversity and explain its importance.
- Create and share ideas for a city that blends urban features with conservation.

Coral Reefs
Holistic Aim
To help students understand the impact that human activity can have on the planet, and explore how we can create a more sustainable future for all.Learning Objectives
- Explain that coral reefs are a habitat in the Arabian Gulf that is home to many special or endangered creatures
- Explain the difference between healthy and unhealthy coral reefs
- List some major threats to coral reefs.

Creating Opportunity
Holistic Aim
To help students understand the impact that human activity can have on the planet, and explore how we can create a more sustainable future for all.Learning Objectives
- Name some global challenges and the UN SDGs related to them
- Apply some basic principles of design thinking to generate a possible solution to one SDG
- Reflect on our own aspirations and identify how we might contribute to a better future.

Energy Food and Water
Holistic Aim
To help students understand the impact that human activity can have on the planet, and explore how we can create a more sustainable future for all.Learning Objectives
- Recognise that energy, food and water are three key resources that are facing global challenges
- Outline how the term planetary boundaries describes the limits to production and pollution that our planet can support
- Explain one way in which we could innovate to use energy, food or water to live within our planetary boundaries.

Food to Facade
Holistic Aim
To introduce the concept that human designs can have a positive relationship with the natural environment and create benefits for both humanity and nature.Learning Objectives
- Recognise that food waste is a significant challenge
- Explore the outcomes of food waste
- Identify materials made from food waste
- Design our own material made from food waste and explain how it will be made, used and recycled.

Global balance
Holistic Aim
This lesson aims to teach students that there is always a balance or trade-off between environmental and social based decisions — a solution which helps one issue, may adversely affect another.Learning Objectives
- Explain the concept of planetary boundaries and social boundaries
- Understand the importance of these boundaries to the continued health of the planet and the good of humanity.
- Identify the trade-offs that are sometimes necessary when making decisions in order to try and improve something.

Mapping 2100
Holistic Aim
To encourage students to understand the environmental and climate-related changes taking place in the Gulf Region and to inspire them to think about how the built environment can be created in balance with – and inspired by – the natural environment.Learning Objectives
- state some climate change-driven differences in the UAE of 2100 versus the UAE of today
- give examples of how UAE may adapt in order to prepare for and thrive in the climate of 2100
- explain, with an example, how nature-inspired design thinking could help with adaptation
- suggest new ways of thinking, suitable for life in 2100, that will help people of today prepare and adapt for climate change in UAE.

Marvelous Mangroves
Holistic Aim
To help students understand the impact that human activity can have on the planet, and explore how we can create a more sustainable future for all.Learning Objectives
- List some reasons why mangroves are an important habitat.
- Name some actions that can harm mangroves and things that protect them.
- Link the importance of mangroves to their ability to absorb some of the carbon released due to city living.

Protect the Magnificent Five
Holistic Aim
To introduce students to some of the extraordinary natural ecosystems that can be found in UAE. These precious habitats are home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, some of which can only be found in UAE. Inspire students to support the conservation and preservation of the natural habitats that exist in UAE.Learning Objectives
- Name the UAE’s ‘Magnificent Five’ habitats and one species that inhabits each one.
- Explore why UAE’s natural habitats are important and how and why they need to be conserved and protected.
- Create and explain campaign ideas that could be used to raise awareness about the importance of conservation in UAE.

Sustainable Development
Holistic Aim
To introduce students to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to the concept of planetary boundaries.Learning Objectives
- Describe the 17 SDGs and their associated targets
- Understand why these goals are important
- Explain the concept of planetary boundaries
- Understand the importance of these boundaries to the continued health of the planet.

Water from air
Holistic Aim
Introduce the concept that human designs can have a positive relationship with the natural environment and create benefits for both humanity and nature.Learning Objectives
- Identify that fresh water is naturally scarce in the UAE and is energy-intensive to produce by desalination
- Share ideas for how water can be ‘harvested’ from the air around us
- Explain that Expo 2020 Dubai will showcase a ‘water tree’ that harvests water from the air.