What Would You Do?

What would you do if by killing one person you could save thousands? Would you do it?

For eighth-graders in Mike Berner’s class, those types of ethical dilemmas are talked about every day. The class, 21st Century Challenges, is taken by every eighth-grader at the Berner, who was a language arts teacher, created the curriculum.

“There were all these buzzwords about 21st century learning,” said WAMS Principal Carole Butler. “He came up with relevant topics for kids. The skills and concepts from language arts are taught in this class. It generates thought; it generates opinion.”

And it has all the students talking.

“It’s definitely something I talk about at home,” said Bryce Kulik. “I usually don’t talk unless I’m complaining about homework.

“Conversations from class go on at recess, uptown. It’s fun to talk about.”

The class has three units, according to Berner: ethics, human nature and philosophy. During each unit, students’ beliefs are challenged.

“It’s weird talking about philosophy,” said Max Goldman. “There are so many ways to think about life.”

One of the first topics discussed, and a popular one among students: Do we exist?

“The class looks at who we are,” said Kennedy Hubbard. “How we got here, what's to come in the future. Are we who we really are?”

It's questions like those that get the students thinking and talking.

“It opens us up to things we didn’t know,” said Rachel Fordham. “You really think about what’s surrounding us.”

During the human nature section, students look at nature vs. nurture, gender stereotypes, and birth order.

“I am very excited about the class,” said Maureen Goldman, Max’s mom. “It’s very interesting, very intriguing.”

Another concept that is carried throughout the course is the concept of the golden rule.

“The rightness or wrongness of a scenario is dependent on society,” said Bryce.

“There really are no easy answers,” added Berner.

The class gives each student the opportunity to explore and express their opinions. There are no right or wrong answers.

“Mike provides focused conversation on their level,” said Butler. “He gives time to all sides and plays devil’s advocate. It gets kids to think about what they believe in.”