About LAB

 

WHAT IS LAB?

Our educational program teaches the concepts of sustainable development through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We empower youth with a holistic understanding of what the SDGs are, and what youth can do to take action.

Help us mobilize youth for a more sustainable future and book to host an SDGs LAB event at your institution!

WHERE IS IT OFFERED?

The SDGs LAB is brought to individual schools and/or organizations as they request to host and have FES deliver this program directly to their students and community.

 
 

We primarily work with universities, colleges, and high schools across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

If you are interested in SDGs LAB, we would be happy to discuss our program offering to ensure it is the right fit for you.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1. Book to Host

Your own SDGs LAB program at your institution for this academic year

2. Connect with Us

To discuss how we can bring SDGs LAB to your institution in a way that amplifies your current level of SDG engagement.

3. Sit Back and Relax

While we coordinate all the logistics and eventually deliver the entire program right to your students!

The Student Experience

  • Gain a better understanding of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals
  • Learn where youth can intervene and innovate to actually make an impact on sustainable development
  • Connect with multiple UN speakers and Youth Activists
  • Challenge yourself during a skills training workshop on how to create action plans to leverage SDGs in your local community
  • Receive a certificate and badge to add to your resume and professional development journey
  • Access to the SDGs LAB resources hub with libraries of tools to support your journey in becoming a more active sustainability champion

    • The Faculty Experience

  • Raise awareness about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Amplify/exemplify your institutions strategic commitment (new or old) to sustainability
  • Bridge the gap between your institution’s sustainability efforts and its academic culture around sustainability
  • Educate faculty about the SDGs and how they apply to all academic disciplines and departments
  • Empower your students with the knowledge, skills, resources, and inspiration to take our world's future into their own hands
  • Embed robust SDG education into your curriculum without having to do the work!

    • What does SDGs LAB Look Like at Your School?

    SDGs LAB has been intentionally designed to be a very flexible and adaptable program, meaning every school we work with brings this on in their own unique way. Check out our Engagement Guides below to see some of the different ways school’s have leveraged SDGs LAB.

    INSPIRING POST-LAB INITIATIVES

    Our workshop has led to many amazing student led sustainability projects like:

    • York University’s student started the Global SDGs Awards with a panel of 65+ expert judges.

    • Northern Michigan University students pushed for a school wide Sustainability Plan.

    • University of PEI , University of Alberta’s Nursing Department , and MacEwan University’s Business Department, alongside others have included the SDGs into their courses.

    • St . Thomas University had the SDGs as the cover of their student handbook.

    • Students influenced University of British Columbia’s –year sustainability plan with the President ’s Office.

    • Laurier University’s SDGs club is integrating SDGs into various courses.

    • Queen’s University students are influencing the university’s endowment investment guidelines.

    • McGill University pushed for a gender parity commission at their university after engaging the university and local media.

    We work with both Universities, Colleges and High Schools, and last year Albert College had an amazing project idea that came after our LAB event at their institution:

    After engaging in SDG’s LAB program, The Grade 10 science class of 2021 was tasked with picking an environmental initiative that could significantly impact Albert College. The class decided that the usage and waste of single use water bottles would make the biggest impact. Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, the school has provided students with single use water bottles. This has resulted in the average student using three or more water bottles every day.

    We offer virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. Colorado Academy chose to customize their SDGs LAB package to have us come to their school for a whole week to deliver in-person sessions directly in their classrooms. Check out their newsletter write up about our time there below!

    Newsletter Write Ups about SDGs LAB

    Rowan University did a hybrid delivery for a one day sustainability event with students from all different departments. Check out how it went in the post-event article the wrote for their school newspaper:

    TESTIMONIALS

    • “I absolutely enjoyed the training! All universities need this”

      Christine

    • “Thank you for this wonderful opportunity for my students. It helped them realize that they can take action and make a difference to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.”

      Diane

    • “I really enjoyed this event and I hope it continues to be offered for other students in the future! It's a really important concept and the more people that have a deep understanding of the SDG's, the more change we can make.”

      Ashley

    • “Wonderful workshop, felt incredibly grateful and inspired afterwards!!”

      Sofia

    • “Our university approached the Foundation for Environmental Stewardship to help educate our students about the Sustainable Development Goals. We appreciate the flexibility and high level of service that FES provided in setting up the SDG Launch.

      1/4

    • The outcomes of what our university was looking for far exceeding our expectations. We see knowledge transfer beyond our students that included faculty, staff and, we are optimistic, that it even amplified our institution’s commitment to sustainability. Add to this the resources available for those who participated, such as the certificate (which is such a great resume builder BTW!).

      2/4

    • Other resources such as the SDG Lens Library, Resources Hub, the Deep Dive document that accompanied Steve Lee’s online presentation, and the Action Plan workbook are very useful. We will continue to communicate with students, so they don’t forget to refer back to these valuable resources over the term. Several students have mentioned they are also excited about the weekly UN Speakers Series.

      3/4

    • Our goal was to build knowledge, raise awareness and then have that lead to action. I believe we are moving in the right direction, and I look forward to the SDG projects that arise on our campus because of our participation in the SDGs Launch.”

      Roy Jantzen, 
Faculty of Global and Community Studies

      4/4

    Here are some of our UN Speakers

    Contact Us!

    Send us an email if you want to book an SDGs LAB event, or if you have any questions.

    sdgslab@FESplanet.org

    32 Britain St
    Toronto, ON
    M5A 1R6

     
     
     

    “As young people, it's time for us to take the 2030 Agenda into our own hands and actively engage our communities to do more. If not us- then who?”

    - Morrell Andrews, UBC attendee (2017)