Empowering Future Innovators: Grade 7 Students Reimagine Clean Energy for SDG 7 Through STEAM Learning

Written By Sanam Arzoo, Global Schools Advocate/Mentor

How can middle schoolers contribute to solving the world’s energy crisis? At The Democratic School, we explored that question through a dynamic, interdisciplinary project centered on Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Over three weeks, our MYP II (Grade 7) students engaged in inquiry-based, hands-on learning that brought real-world relevance to their classroom experiences.

Titled “Empowering Future Innovators,” this initiative was jointly implemented through the subjects of Mathematics, Design, and Individuals and Societies, inviting students to explore clean energy from scientific, creative, and socio-political perspectives. What made this experience truly special was the collaboration across these disciplines—with the guidance and support of dedicated educators: Ms. Sanam Arzoo(Mathematics), Ms. Farwa Naeem (Individuals and Societies), and Ms. Iqra Afzal (Design). Their mentorship helped transform learning into action and curiosity into innovation.

Bringing Clean Energy to Life Through STEAM

Designed as a three-part project, this unit spanned multiple disciplines and class sessions. It challenged students to analyze energy efficiency mathematically, design creative solutions, and debate their global and local implications.

Whether constructing city models, preparing advocacy campaigns, or engaging in debates, students developed a holistic understanding of clean energy—rooted in sustainability, innovation, and global citizenship.

Project Stage 1: Exploring Renewable Energy Through Mathematics

In mathematics, students tackled the project using numbers and data. They investigated: How do we measure energy efficiency, and what do the numbers tell us about the sustainability of different energy sources?

Using tools like Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, students explored:

• Types of renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass)

• Energy output and efficiency calculations

• Data visualization through graphs and charts

Hands-on activities included building mini wind turbines and solar panels, helping students visualize how mathematical concepts connect to real-world energy production.

"I didn’t know solar panels could be so efficient when positioned right—we learned how to measure that ourselves!" – Grade 7 Student 

Project Stage 2: Designing a Sustainable City (Design Class)

In the Design subject, students became city architects and planners. Drawing inspiration from eco-cities like Copenhagen and Masdar, they asked: How can we design a sustainable city powered entirely by clean energy?

Students used design thinking to:

• Research smart energy solutions and green city infrastructures.

• Create city blueprints with planning apps or graph paper.

• Integrate renewable energy zones into urban designs.

• Build 3D models highlighting clean energy applications.

The project emphasized both aesthetic and functional design, encouraging students to balance innovation with environmental responsibility.

“We calculated how many wind turbines we’d need to power a school—and it actually worked on paper!" – Grade 7 Student

Project Stage 3: Powering the Future – The Renewable Energy Debate (Individuals and Societies)

In Individuals and Societies, students tackled energy from a global policy perspective. They asked: What makes an energy source sustainable, and how can we advocate for it fairly and ethically?

Students were grouped and assigned different energy types to research and defend in a formal debate. They explored:

• Environmental, economic, and political impacts of energy sources.

• Case studies from around the world.

• How geography and infrastructure shape energy decisions.

• Persuasive argumentation and advocacy strategies.

Each team created posters and advocacy materials to support their case in class debates.

"Debating helped me see that wind energy, while powerful, isn’t perfect everywhere—it depends on the place!" – Grade 7 Student

Impact Beyond the Classroom

Across all stages, students were assessed on their:

• Mathematical accuracy and application.

• Design creativity and problem-solving.

• Critical thinking and public speaking.

• Research, collaboration, and presentation skills.

The integrated nature of the unit helped students connect theory to practice, and subject knowledge to real-world action. By combining Math, Design, and Individuals and Societies, students saw how interdisciplinary thinking leads to more powerful, informed solutions.

"This integration made me want to become an engineer who builds green cities!" – Grade 7 Student 

Why It Matters

This project was more than an academic assignment—it was a call to action. By empowering students to explore clean energy through different lenses, they began to see themselves as active contributors to a more sustainable world.

In an age where climate change and energy justice are among the biggest global challenges, giving students the tools to understand and respond is essential. This interdisciplinary approach allowed them to engage deeply, think globally, and act locally.

“When students are given a real problem, three subjects, and the freedom to create—they don’t just learn, they lead.”