The document describes the Interdependence Hexagon Project, an international arts project that aims to engage youth in real-world issues. It uses the hexagon shape as a metaphor for interconnectedness. Students from various countries create artworks on hexagon-shaped templates to explore themes of diversity, human rights, environment, and more. The goal is to educate students about global citizenship and responsibility through an interdisciplinary approach integrating art, research, and global issues.

1. The Interdependence Hexagon
Project VII
An International Arts Project
Designed to Engage Youth in Real-World Issues
Using the HEXAGON as Metaphor for Interconnectedness
A small shape
with
BIG IDEAS

2. Presented by
Emily Erickson Cook, NBCA, Art Teacher, NCBT
and Amy Weiss, Global Perspectives Teacher
South Middle School
Arlington Heights, IL
And
Beth Burkhauser,M.Ed,Chair, Hexagon Project
Keystone College, La Plume, PA
“Teaching and Learning for Global Understanding and
Engagement”
www.interdependencedaynepa.org

3. Presentation Goals
1. Introduction and Description ( Beth)
1. Exemplary Practices (Emily and Amy)
2. Describe Diverse Teaching Strategies
3. Invite Collaboration
4. Host Questions, Comments, Survey
www.interdependencedaynepa.org

4. The Themes and
Content of
Interdependence
“To create a memorable
design you need to start
with a thought that’s
worth remembering”
Thomas Manss

5. Interdependence Themes
(Hexagon Project)
DIVERSITY
HUMAN RIGHTS of every person
Freedom for and acceptance of
We are one human family. Examine
religious, ethnic, backgrounds, cult
Consumerism vs. having enough
ural identities, abilities.
Being more vs. having more
Personal and group dignity
COMMONALITIES
& IDENTITY Interdependence ENVIRONMENT
We need a
HavingEmpathy- Goals:
We are similar and safe, sustainable
1. To see ourselves as citizens of
share common global environment
one civilized world, recognizing
experiences. We can We are one
responsibilities to the common
connect to issues community
goods and liberties of humankind
that are We only have one
as a whole.
personal and local with earth to protect or
2. To explore these themes
issues that are global. destroy
through “activist” art-making
CHILDREN GOVERNANCE
TECHNOLOGY
We need to protect We need to understand peoples’ rights
Use positively and
children’s rights and goods to govern themselves in a manner that
ethically to create
and insure they obtain allows them to flourish. Democratic
informed global
Health and education rights and responsibilities.
communities

6. Global
Interdependence
and Education: Where
Hexagons Make the
Connection
“In this increasingly interdependent world, your ‘allies’
can hurt you as much as your ‘enemies’…..threaten you
as much by collapsing, as by rising…how do we create
healthy interdependencies so we rise together rather
than unhealthy…so we fall together?”
Thomas L. Friedman, NY Times 9/8/12

7. Interdependence
Day History
Interdependence Day was launched in
Philadelphia on September 12, 2003
as a post 9/11 symbol of
regeneration, as a time to reflect on
the tragedy of the incidents of terror
in the US and worldwide, and to
ask, “What next?”
It seemed critically important to
Art by Student from Provo HS, Utah acknowledge the inevitability and
significance of interdependence in
our time, and set out to build
constructively, and civilly, and
culturally, a global civil society.

8. ...the need for global cooperation and democracy…citizens without borders……
Co-Founders:
Mrs. Sondra Myers
Senior Fellow for
International Civic and Cultural
Projects
University of
Scranton
www.interdependencedaynepa.or
g
Dr. Benjamin Barber, Walt Whitman
Professor of Political Science, Emeritus,
Rutgers University and Senior Research
Scholar, Center on Philanthropy and Civil
Society, CUNY Graduate Center, NYC
www.interdependence
movement.org

9. WHY the HEXAGON?
The Hexagon is a composition
of complex relationships, interdependent lines, like
bonds of human connection, strengthened in multiples
into an endless network of connections.
It maintains its own presence as a shape, symbol of
light and life, yet structurally, destined to be part of a
whole—a splendid architectural element, both natural
and human-made, infinitely expandable…
…a metaphor for our
interconnectedness

10. The ARTIST
synthesizes,
makes conclusions,
takes a stand,
must come to terms
with content and
materials,
collaborates…
…can change
the world!
…and so, too, Art by Student from Apex School, Nepal
the student artist-in-
process!

11. The Hexagon Project …
•Formulating Essential
Questions, Big Ideas
•Personal to Global Issues
•21st Century Skills ( www.p21.org )
•Overarching Themes
•Interdisciplinary strategies
•Empathy
Student from Tunkhannock Area
High School, PA

12. We live in an
Interdependent World
There are no more borders.
We are all responsible. We all have commonalities.

13. Civic Responsibility
All of us are global
citizens.
Responsibility
Learn
Appreciate About
Diversity Intolerance
Promote Solve
Tolerance Problems
Together

14. Why is Global Education is
here, but what is it?
this so
important Technology helps
for us to eliminate ignorance
teach? through letting students
explore their world.

15. How does this fit into
The Hexagon Project … ?
Educates about global
awareness
Assists in eliminating biases
Promotes critical thinking

16. Who is in charge of the learning?
STUDENTS!
Students are in control of their own:
Topics
Research
Expression of ideas through artwork
Written expression via the blog

17. Through images and words the artist creates
a visual representation
of their thoughts and feelings about these
issues.
Their works of art prompt us
to ask questions,
to confront the issues expressed
and in many cases move us to action.

18. Art Goals for Student
Achievement
1. Identify a World Issue of Personal Significance
2. Identify necessary elements to convey a message by
considering imagery, color schemes, symbolism, text and
media
3. Create a Hexagon shaped work of art to demonstrate
how works of art communicate and motivate the viewer
4. Create an artist statement to reflect on their work of art.
5. Exhibit their work both physically and
digitally

19. Lesson/Unit Plans
Part One:
Single Hexagon
Focus on a Part Two:
theme/issue Hexagon Book
•Introductory PowerPoint Focus on solutions
•Motivational videos
•Research Packet Unit Created by
Emily Erickson Cook, NBCT Art Teacher
•Templates Amy Weiss, Global Perspectives Teacher
South Middle School
Arlington Heights, IL
ecook@sd25.org

21. Part Two: Hexagon Book -Solutions
Emily Erickson Cook, NBCT Art Teacher in collaboration
with
Amy Weiss, Global Perspectives Teacher
South Middle School
Arlington Heights, IL
ecook@sd25.org

22. Digital Gallery and Interactive Blog
To Post:
http://www.weebly.com
Log in username: ecook@sd25.org
Created by
Emily Erickson Cook, NBCT Art Teacher
Password: cardinal
in collaboration with
Amy Weiss, Global Perspectives Teacher
South Middle School To Comment:
Arlington Heights, IL
ecook@sd25.org http://www.thehexagonprojectblog.weebly.

23. Do Your P”Art Foundation
Collaboration

24. Resources:
Resources:
http://www.interdependencedaynepa.org
•Prospectus
•All Templates, release forms, registration information
•Lesson Plans, Blog
•Research bibliography, PowerPoints, Examples

25. Resources:
•Facebook Page, Twitter, Google
Drive, Artsonia, ArtEd2.0, NAEA Secondary and
Middle Teachers Blogs (search “Hexagon Project”)
•The Interdependence Handbook:Looking Back, Living the
Present, Choosing the Future Edited by Sondra Myers and Benjamin R. Barber
• essays, discussion questions
• Declarations of Interdependence
by UN, other groups

26. What is the Interdependence
Hexagon Project?
• Students, ages 10 - 18, create in any media using a
downloadable hexagonal template as their format
• Students respond to a relevant theme and do
research
• Students may work collaboratively or alone on
one or multiple hexagons
• Deadline for participation in the Exhibit in
Scranton, PA is June 30
• Online registration begins May 1 or before
• Exhibit: September for Interdependence Month

27. Exhibit Opening
on First Friday in
September, Interdependence
Month
2011: ArtWorks Gallery
2012: Library Express
Music, hands-on
workshops, interactive displays
2013:
• Chicago Area -
Do Your P’ART
Foundation
• Virtually???

28. Global Recognition
Events
Scranton, PA
Chicago in 2013
and….???
Butwal, Nepal