Milwaukee Public Schools teams up with the UN Association of Greater Milwaukee for lesson on diversity

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Students at 14 Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) immersed themselves in culture and nations around the world Tuesday. 

For the fourth time, the district teamed up with the United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee to teach and demonstrate just how diverse the world is.  

Three thousand middle schoolers showed off their projects at the UWM Panther Arena on Tuesday, April 19. Many of them spent weeks diving into another culture and learning about it. 

"In Milwaukee Public Schools, diversity is truly our strength," said MPS Superintendent Keith Posley. 

The lesson taught students about the importance of celebrating the differences in other countries, but also the differences right in their own classrooms. 

"I guess I didn’t really know much about anything of ocean pollution and the dangers of ocean pollution," said 8th grader Walker Holoubak

A representative with the United Nations in Milwaukee walked around and looked at the projects.

“What have you learned about the geography? What excites you about it?" asked Annette Robertson. Robertson is also the co-founder of the UN Schools of International Learning. She says students need to spend more time learning about geography and life in other places. 

Third grader Bri Dol spent her time learning about Samoan culture.

"They have plants and animals in Samoa, like tiger sharks," said Dol. 

As students came around to look at her project, she passed out a Samoan flag sticker for them to put in their passports.

After showcasing their own projects, entertainers from various cultures danced and talked about what makes them unique, including the Ukrainian Ensemble group. Teachers and school leaders said it was more important than ever to highlight Ukraine's culture at the event this year.