New Canaan Country School Eighth Graders Tackle Global Issues

New Canaan Country School eighth graders presented at the school’s annual World Congress, a hallmark event of their year-long study of world cultures.

“What they are learning is vital preparation for a generation of leaders who will have to bring knowledge, empathy and creative thinking to inescapable global challenges,” said eighth-grade teacher Bart Fredo who teaches the social-studies course. Additional eighth grade teachers include Elizabeth Carroll and Will McDonough

In preparation for the two-day event, held May 22 and 23 in the school’s auditorium, students examined the geography, history and cultures of Africa, the Middle East, East Asia and South Asia. Their course of study culminated in a major research project dealing with contemporary issues, including the environment, climate change, alternative energy, global health and human rights. During the World Congress symposium, students individually took to the podium to present their issue summaries and field questions from the audience of teachers and classmates.

“They develop several vital skills that they will need as they move into high school, college and beyond,” explained Mr. Fredo. “Critical thinking and research skills, of course, but equally important are peer collaboration, public speaking and the ability to think on one’s feet.”

Topics and presenters included:

Air Pollution - Thatcher Findlay of New Canaan and Maeve Baker of New Canaan

Water Pollution - Charlotte Calderwood of Darien and Ryland Strine of New Canaan

Plastics - Henry Scott of New Canaan, Cassie Warren of New Canaan

Biodiversity, Interconnectedness, and Habitat Loss - Mark Taubner of New Canaan, Abby O'Brien of Stamford, Annika Mannix of Wilton

Deforestation and Erosion - Sasha Intile of Rowayton, Hunter McCarthy of Stamford

Climate Change - Jamie Staniar of Darien, Riya Punjabi of Stamford, Paul Schilcher of New Canaan

Human Trafficking - Caleb Seiden of Darien, Beau Johnson of New Canaan

Child Labor - Cece Salvatore of New Canaan, Payton Koch of New Canaan

Access to Education - Mac Ryan of Pound Ridge, NY

Gender Discrimination - TJ Moody of Pound Ridge, NY and Daisy Fichthorn of Darien

Overpopulation - Amelia Lancaster of Darien, Jaeon Anglin of Westport

Refugees - Maren Frey of New Canaan, Benjamin Herdeg of New Canaan, Huett Nelson of Rowayton

Hunger - Brian Collins of Greenwich and Hugh Gardiner of New Canaan

Biomass Energy - Brayden Hogue of Westport

Geothermal Energy - Dean Ambrose of Rowayton

Hydroelectric Energy - Lilly Krongard of New Canaan, Megan Mitchell of Darien

Nuclear Energy - Matt Edwards of Darien, Andrew Mayock of New Canaan

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion - Fiona Burton of Stamford

Solar Energy - Orchid Coffin of Rowayton and Mimi Sue Novak of Darien

Tidal Energy - Ashley Rodgers of New Canaan

Wind Energy - Sasha Coughlin of New Canaan

Electric Vehicles - Alanna Gribin of Norwalk and Kate Barnard of New Canaan

Bicycles & Human-Powered Vehicles- Luke Sosnow of Darien, Tyler Rosolen of Norwalk

Public transportation - Calvin Jacob of New Canaan, Garrett Cannon of New Canaan

Life Expectancy - Gracie Agulay of Stamford

Child mortality - Rett Zeigler of Rowayton

Immunization - Ava Gizzie of New Canaan

Influenza - Katie LeBaron of New Canaan

Malaria - Parakram Karnik of New Canaan

Tuberculosis - Alex Sotirhos of New Canaan

Heart Disease - Charlie Gaynor of Pound Ridge, NY

Diabetes - Sofie Petricone of New Canaan

Obesity - Jasper Engle of New Canaan

Alcoholism - Jackson Alpaugh of Darien

Drug Addiction - Christian Jacob of New Canaan

Alzheimer's Disease - Miles English of New Canaan

Autism - Matt Riccardi of Darien

Cancer Research - Cole Nightingale of Rowayton

Stem-cell Research - Walker Blair of New Canaan

Access to Health Care - Darla Moody of Pound Ridge, NY