Choosing your programme for the Middle Years 2025

Sustainability Pathway

WHAT WILL YOU STUDY IN THIS COURSE

Unit 1 – Diversity. Explore the wonders of the natural environment and discover the incredible variety of life on Earth. You’ll study the diversity of life forms, rocks, and minerals, developing a profound connection and appreciation for the world around you, and learn about how human activities can threaten them. Unit 2 – Unity. Delve into the interconnectedness of all life on our planet and learn how everything is linked in the global web of life – including humans. Explore tools such as Causal Loop Diagrams, Stock and Flow Diagrams and the Iceberg Model, which help us understand how these complex systems work. Unit 3 – Survive. Explore the pressing global environmental challenges we face today and investigate practical solutions to avoid, adapt to, or mitigate these problems. Put your knowledge to work by planning and executing your own sustainability project at school! Unit 4 – Critique. Take a critical look at how humanity interacts with the environment. You’ll develop your Critical Thinking skills and examine how the way we live in our global community is shaped by the way we think about the environment, society and the economy. Unit 5 – Create. Now it’s time to think about solutions! This unit is all about re-imagining our future and designing a more sustainable world. You’ll brainstorm new ways for us to interact with nature and each other, learning from indigenous cultures and other forms of wisdom, and creating a vision for a more sustainable global society.

WHAT SKILLS WILL YOU DEVELOP

You’ll sharpen your observation, collaboration, and communication skills, and develop new skills in critical and systems thinking. This course will empower you to think creatively and act effectively in solving real-world environmental, social and economic issues.

HOW WILL PROGRESS BE ASSESSED

Your progress will be continuously evaluated through diverse methods such as journaling, written reflections, essays, reports, debates, and oral or visual presentations. Your individual sustainability project forms a major part of the Unit 3 assessment. This dynamic approach ensures that every type of learner has a chance to shine.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE

If you’re interested in how our world works, eager to make a positive impact, or just passionate about nature, this course is perfect for you. It’s accessible to anyone, and beneficial to everyone, and is designed to inspire learners who want to make the world a better place.

WHERE COULD THIS COURSE LEAD

The knowledge and skills you develop will be invaluable in any future field, whether you’re heading into science, arts, or humanities, and will be particularly valuable for those who find themselves in leadership roles. The Sustainability Pathway provides a strong foundation for the IB’s interdisciplinary course in Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS), available at both Standard and Higher Levels.

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