Global Problem Solvers

Global Problem Solvers is an animated series with guided lessons that focuses on using digital literacy to encourage collaboration and problem-solving. The episodes are free and hosted on the site via Vimeo (linked in the PDFs). They're also on YouTube, chunked into 25-minute episodes and available in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Hindi. A diverse team of international superheroes work together in each episode to brainstorm solutions to a global issue. Season one focuses on how to provide clean drinking water to people in Malawi, and season two focuses on how to help students whose school shut down as a result of a hurricane on the Gulf Coast of the United States.

Each episode highlights a different step in the process, from the problem itself to testing and iterating on the solution. Each superhero has a unique character strength, such as creativity, digital skills, or social consciousness. Students reflect on their unique strengths in debriefing activities and are encouraged to devise their own long-term plan and solution to an issue of concern as the series progresses. The teacher guides include lessons, worksheets, long-term projects, and links to more materials. There are also storyboards and scripts available for each video, and videos of real-life "social entrepreneurs." 

Global Problem Solvers offers many of the materials teachers need to help kids apply problem-solving skills -- plus collaboration, creativity, and communication -- to their communities. It also normalizes diversity and representation, different languages and accents, and cultural norms and practices. Students see the superheroes model not only problem-solving, but also strong character traits such as empathy, social consciousness, and creativity. Reflection questions emphasize individual student strengths and their contributions to teams, helping transform theoretical problems to practical application. While there's a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning, content knowledge is gained through research and application skills. 

Three scaffolded Big Picture Questions, such as "What social problems do you see in your own community or country?" guide students to a solution-oriented and research-based focus. These transferrable skills are applicable to both the episode or other real-world concerns. This is truly the heart and goal of the Global Problem Solvers program, encouraging social entrepreneurship in students.

Teachers are given many resources to fully implement lessons and projects. All supporting materials, like the animated episodes, are also available in four languages. With all of these resources, without an integrated management system, it's up to teachers to differentiate and monitor and provide feedback to students. Though some students -- especially older ones -- may find the videos cheesy, they also get to apply ideas and skills in very practical ways.