Philanthropy Powers Middle School Travel
Beaver faculty are constantly reflecting on how to deepen learning—whether on campus, offsite, or through partnerships with experts in the field. In Grade 8, students study the United Nations, and as part of that work, learn about Sustainability Goals (SDG). As part of their final module, Global Citizenship, they choose a global issue to focus a local-action poster or infographic on. In individual posters, students focus on topics such as No Poverty, End Hunger, Clean Oceans, Gender Equality, Quality Education; Climate Action and Peace, Justice, & Strong Institutions. Students also explore the history & guiding principles of the SDGs and then zoom in on three goals of their choice to learn more about the targets and actions people can take.
In the fall of 2023, Middle School Humanities faculty Kristin FitzGerald and Megan Wu Macomber were introduced to The United Nations Association of Greater Boston (UNAGB) by our Hiatt Center team. They engaged in a discussion and professional learning that inspired a vision for an immersive trip that would bring their interdisciplinary and global coursework to the next level: a trip to New York City to tour the United Nations HQ and participate in a Model UN simulation focused on a global issue.
The idea was ready; the timing was not. With the annual budget already set the spring prior, a grade-wide overnight trip might have needed to wait until the following year, until a generous supporter stepped in to make it happen—that the experience combined academic challenge with real-world learning, leading to unforgettable memories.
Prior to departure, 8th grade students attended a training in Parliamentary Procedure and engaged in informational reading, research, persuasive writing, public speaking, formal debate, and negotiation. Then Beaver’s 8th graders traded the classroom for the city that never sleeps—New York City—on a trip designed to bring their global citizenship studies to life.
You can read more about 2024’s trip here.
As always, Beaver combines the creativity of the teachers with the passion and energy of the students to develop a wonderful new opportunity, which will surely be a beloved tradition from now on. I am so excited for this year’s students!
Sarah Pelmas, Interim Head of School
For the second year in a row, our 8th graders (the Class of 2029) and faculty embarked on an immersive United Nations–themed experience that pushed them to think critically about how individuals can engage with social, political, environmental, and economic issues across the globe.
Highlights of the 2025 Trip
The trip was a whirlwind of discovery from start to finish:
Morning: A guided tour of the United Nations Headquarters, where students explored the General Assembly Hall, Security Council Chamber, and exhibits on global diplomacy.
Afternoon: A hands-on UN simulation, with students stepping into the roles of international delegates to debate and collaborate on pressing global issues.
Evening: Time to experience the city’s cultural side—dinner together, walks through iconic neighborhoods, and in 2025, a special connection to their English curriculum with a Broadway performance of The Outsiders.
In between official activities, the group deepened their bonds as classmates. By the time they returned to campus, the Class of 2029 carried with them not only stronger friendships but also a richer, first-hand understanding of their role in the global community.