Program History

Global Partners Junior was developed in 2004 in partnership with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and then expanded to after-school sites supported by the NYC Housing Authority, CAMBA, Goodwill Industries, United Activities Unlimited, and the New York Public Library. In 2010, NYC public schools offered the program for the first time during the school day. The program has been integrated into social studies, language arts, computer, library, and homeroom classes.

Past Curricula

2015-16: Colorful Communities

Students thought critically about various urban challenges through the lens of the arts, considering how different media can be used to convey narratives. At the end of the year, students transformed a public space into an arts exhibition in which they featured original or borrowed artwork to tackle a local issue of their choice.

Summer 2015: My City, My Canvas

Students explored community and public art in cities around the world, reflecting on how visual arts can be used to express ideas, highlight urban challenges and bring about change in communities. As a final project, students worked on a collaborative art piece to address a challenge in their community.

2014-15: Living Cities

Students investigated environmental sustainability in cities around the world, focusing on the factors of density, efficiency, and diversity. Students developed a plan for a community action project focused on reducing, reusing, recycling, or upcycling.

Summer 2014: Urban Stages

Students learned about international performing arts and investigated elements of theater production such as playwriting and set, costume, and sound design. Students developed plans to transform underutilized locations in their communities into theater spaces and created original performances.

2013-14: Literary Cities

Students explored creative writing and digital storytelling, comparing international literature and creating original texts. Students developed a plan for a community action project to improve their neighborhoods and documented their work using nonfiction writing and digital media.

Summer 2013: Living Cities

Students investigated environmental sustainability in cities around the world, focusing on the factors of density, efficiency, and diversity. Students designed a new green space in their community or created a plan to improve an existing green space.

2012-13: Urban Stages

Students learned about international performing arts and investigated elements of theater production such as playwriting and set, costume, and sound design. Students developed plans to transform underutilized locations in their communities into theater spaces and created original performances.

Summer 2012: Living Cities

Students investigated environmental sustainability in cities around the world, focusing on the factors of density, efficiency, and diversity. Students designed a new green space in their community or created a plan to improve an existing green space.

2011-12: World Marketplace

Students learned about local and global business, investigating topics such as advertising techniques and international supply chains. Students developed original business plans for a product or service to be marketed in their city and a global city.

2010-11: Living Cities

Students investigated environmental sustainability in cities around the world, focusing on the factors of density, efficiency, and diversity. Students created plans for sustainable food trucks for their neighborhoods serving international foods for their partner cities.

2009-10: World Marketplace

Students learned about local and global business, investigating topics such as advertising techniques and international supply chains. Students developed original business plans for a product or service to be marketed in their city and a global city.

2008-09: Exploring My Environment

Students investigated environmental issues such as air pollution and environmental health and discovered strategies for improving the environment in their cities and around the world.

2007-08: My City, Myself

Students explored the nature of cities and shared facts about themselves and their cities' history, culture, food, and arts. Students created a travel agency and planned a trip to an international city.

2006-07: Exploring My Environment

Students investigated environmental issues such as air pollution and environmental health and discovered strategies for improving the environment in their cities and around the world.

2005-06: My Dream Park

Students examined city parks around the world and designed "dream parks" for their cities.

2004: Cities Around the World

Students acted as travel agents and planned a virtual trip to their partner cities.