What is Global Sparks?
Global Sparks is an 8-week series of fun activities to help families play and learn together at home while the schools are closed.
As we all adapt to life after the Covid-19 lockdown, and begin to return to life while continuing to work to prevent further illness, we are all taking powerful actions, standing together with those who need our protection and support most.
Let’s continue to work together like this. Let’s imagine, and act for, a world without climate change and poverty, where oceans, animals and people are healthy.
Get to know the UN Global Development Goals and what we can achieve together as a global community by taking small actions and standing together to create a better world.
We know you have a lot on your mind at the moment, so we're keeping this super easy for parents and children to take part.
How do I get involved?
- Take Part
Try out a fun activity with your little ones at home while learning about the importance of the UN Global Development Goals. - Inspire
Share your activities on social media using the hashtag #GlobalSparks and help inspire a new generation of changemakers!You can also join our Facebook community group for parents, teachers and families.
Global Sparks Survey & Quiz
We've created a fun quiz for children to test their knowledge as we come towards the end of our Global Sparks Series!
Have you and the little ones enjoyed the activities? As parents and teachers we want to know how you and your children got on!
Thank you so much for taking part. We really appreciate your support and your feedback will help to shape future activities for the little ones,
Quiz Maker - powered by Riddle
Week 8
Life Below Water
Our oceans and seas play a very important role in our lives. We rely heavily on them for food, energy, water, medicine, transportation, and to create jobs.
Sadly, our oceans are not as healthy as they used to be. While oceans and seas cover 70% of our planet, they are under tremendous pressure from over-fishing and pollution. We need to take immediate action to protect, restore and sustain our precious oceans around the world.
Did you know
- Over half the oxygen we breathe is produced in the ocean.
- 2/5 of the world’s oceans surfaces are covered with plastic.
- More than 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.
As the challenges to our ocean continue to grow, so too does our need for innovative solutions to strengthen their resilience.
Sahady from GOAL Honduras has joined us this week to talk about the importance of our oceans.
We can raise awareness within our own communities by making a poster with 5 tips on how we can protect the ocean.
Other activities to try this week
What does the sea mean to you?
Marine Institute Ireland have teamed up with us this week to highlight the need to protect and restore our oceans.
Take part in their competition by drawing a picture or writing a piece titled ‘What the sea means to me’? Share your ideas and be in with the chance to win a prize by using the hashtag #SeaToMe.
Learn about Marine Biodiversity and explore the oceans with us this week!
Take a closer look at what lies beneath the surface of our seas and oceans by looking through this interactive Marine Biodiversity Story Map.
- Bring your own turtle and puffin to life!
- Learn more our ocean friends
Week 7
Sustainable Communities & Cities
This week on global sparks we are looking at the UN Global Goal 11: Sustainable Communities and Cities.
Urban areas and cities are now growing faster than their populations. This is causing significant consequences to the sustainability of where and how we live.
Did you know?
- 9/10 people globally are living in cities with air quality that fails the World Health Organisation's air quality standards?
- Over half the world population currently live in urban areas
- One billion people globally live in slums or inadequate housing
We still have a long way to go in order to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable for all.
Working together we can all play our part in achieving this goal.
It’s time to Rock Art!
Lucy O’Hagan shows us how to make different colours and paints using natural materials from the earth!
Other activities to try this week
Imagine the perfect sustainable community, town or city. What makes it sustainable?
Ask your child to draw a picture of their creation and write a letter to their future self describing their ideal city
Find out more about sustainable cities here.
We know that locally sourced fruits and vegetables reduce our carbon foot print and tackle climate change.
This week we are encouraging families to grow their own food or plants. Our friends at Grow It Yourself have tonnes of tips for aspiring gardeners.
Week 6
Gender Equality
No matter where you live in the world, everyone has the right to equality.
Gender Equality is about making sure everyone has equal rights and is treated with the same level of respect. We still have a long way to go to achieve this goal.
Did you know?
- Women hold only 1/3 of managerial positions in the world?
- 2/3 of people who can't read or write in the world are women?
Women and girls make up half of the world’s population. By not giving equal opportunities to women and men alike, we are not only preventing social, economic, and political progression but also stopping many people from living life to their potential.
This week we have lined up different activities to get us thinking about the opportunities that a world with gender equality presents.
Regardless of your gender, only you should decide the life you want to lead.
Watch Sano's video and see how you can build a box of your hopes, dreams and favourite things!
Other activities to try this week
Dr. Hayley wants us to think like journalists this week.
Work on your interviewing skills and investigate a woman who really motivates you. Find out about the journey they have taken to get to where they are today.
Can you think of a woman who inspires you?
Draw a picture of someone who comes to mind who really inspires you to be the best that you can be!
Let us know why they inspire you. #GlobalSparks
Irish teacher Aoife wants us to think as Gaeilge this week as we reflect on different women who are role models to us.
Join us in this Irish activity and see what creation you come up with!
Week 5
Climate Action
With workers and families encouraged to stay at home, our planet is enjoying a temporary carbon detox. Wild animals have been spotted roaming our cities, fish are returning to our rivers and air quality has improved globally over the last few weeks.
Did you know?
- Climate change is creating drought, food poverty and driving migration in many developing countries.
- The fashion industry contributes more to Climate Change than international flights and maritime shipping combined.
- With less cars on the road and less planes in the sky we are producing 17% less carbon globally since the outbreak of Covid-19.
We can all play our part in stopping Climate Change. We can raise awareness with local politicians and change our own lifestyles to make the world a more sustainable place. This is important, not only for us, but for future generations to come.
We have some interesting activities lined up this week to help us tackle Climate Change at home.
Climate Change Quiz
Test your knowledge with our child friendly climate quiz!
Quiz Maker - powered by Riddle
Other activities to try this week
The Climate Queens have set us a creative activity this week - to draw what you imagine a climate changemaker or a climate activist to look like!
The clothing industry is the second largest polluter in the world. Have a go at repurposing an old t-shirt and see if you can make an easy, trendy tote bag like Flossie has done!
Week 4
Quality Education
It has been a while since children all over the world have been able to attend school due to the current health crisis. Now more than ever we are realising the value of education and the opportunities that education provides.
This crisis has forced us to adapt to a new routine of interacting, learning and teaching outside of the classroom. Unfortunately for millions of children across the planet the classroom door is permanently shut. Over 265 million children are currently denied access to education.
This week, we have lined up some creative, fun activities for you to get involved with as we take time to reflect on the value and importance of education.
Children’s writer Sarah Webb introduces our activities for this week as we explore global goal 4, Quality Education.
We have a mixture of creative activities to get you thinking, researching, drawing and writing! Get ready to be creative!
Share your ideas with the Global Sparks community!
Other activities to try this week
Irish Hockey player and GOAL ambassador Roisin Upton introduces us to a lovely creative activity this week.
We're inviting children to learn about the inspiring child campaigner Malala Yousafzai. Draw a picture of Malala and share three things you found out about her.
The classroom doors have been closed to students for a longtime.
Ask your child to write a poem about what school means to them.
And share their creativity with our #GlobalSparks community
Ask your child if they remember what their classroom looks like. Does it look the same as their current classroom?
What would be their dream classroom? Have fun with markers, crayons and colouring pencils and bring it to life!
What are the UN Global Development Goals?
Our future faces big challenges like climate change, poverty and the coronavirus. Just thinking about these problems can be overwhelming. But there are reasons to be optimistic about the future!
There is a global plan to help us achieve the equal and sustainable future we all want: the 17 UN Global Goals which have the power to create a better world. All UN nations have committed to achieve these goals by 2030.
It will take a lot of work and commitment by governments, businesses and individuals. But we do have the power to help make real change happen, and we want to encourage and share these actions.
It is now more important than ever to stand together. Are you curious about the Goals? Find out more by watching our video or clicking on the images below.
The 17 UN Global Goals
Let’s Spread the Word!
Share your activities on social media with the hashtag #GlobalSparks and help inspire a new generation of changemakers.
