Posted April 14, 2025
About two dozen Plymouth High School students recently participated in a 6-week collaboration with their counterparts in Algeria.
The effort was part of the Storytelling for Change program operated by iEARN, a non-profit organization that partners with the U.S. State Department Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs.
PHS was one of seven U.S. schools that worked with 12 Algerian schools to focus on U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. Each week, students participated in a Zoom call and talked in breakout rooms with Algerian students about the goals and issues in their communities.
As a culminating experience, students made a 90-second video based on a Sustainable Development Goal they think is important. Participants received a Digital Global Citizenship badge and will have access to U.S. Department of State scholarships and resources.
The PHS effort was coordinated by Spanish teacher Laura Koebel. AFS students, WeACT club members, Global Scholars, and other interested students were invited to participate.
“This was important because it encouraged cultural interaction and we learned Algerian students' views on different world issues, and we got to work together on these UNSDG goals,” said PHS student Eva Haak.
Student Rachel Van Derven noted, “It was a cool way to build community between the schools.”
Storytelling for Change builds global leaders by engaging Algerian, Tunisian, and American youth in global collaboration to tell stories about real world issues in their local communities.
Learn more:
• Visit the iEARN Storytelling for Change website.
• Explore our interactive, award-winning District Report Card to see how an exciting mix of academics, extracurriculars, and other enriching experiences allow our students to truly thrive.
